Public Chamber Bans Observers from Evaluating Elections Before Results
The Public Chamber has prohibited its observers from evaluating the conduct of elections until their results are finalized. This restriction is included in the updated version of the 'Code of Ethics for Observers,' which was presented at the Public Chamber yesterday, according to 'Kommersant'.
Consensus
- The Public Chamber of Russia updated its Code of Ethics for election observers.
- The updated code was presented on August 31.
- Observers are prohibited from making public statements or evaluations that could be seen as undermining trust in the electoral system.
- Observers must wait until official results are announced before evaluating the election.
- Observers are banned from spreading unverified or knowingly false information.
- Observers are prohibited from inciting discord or engaging in defamation.
- Observers cannot interfere with the work of election commissions or the vote-counting process.
- Observers are not allowed to leave their polling station without a valid reason.
- Observers retain the right to review protocols and express a personal opinion.
- The Public Chamber may revoke an observer's status for serious violations.
- The new code applies only to observers appointed by the Public Chamber and its regional branches.
- Other public organizations and NGOs are not permitted to appoint observers.
Points of divergence
- An anonymous election expert criticized the new code as having no relation to international or national professional observation principles, calling it a 'shameful, lying, and unworthy' document designed to ensure loyalty to the administration and election commissions. — tg_echoonline_news
- The Public Chamber and the association 'Independent Public Monitoring' jointly prepared a manual recommending observers support 'lawful decisions' of election commissions and frame criticisms as questions rather than accusations. — novaya_eu
- Some technical issues and equipment damage were suggested in the manual not to be considered violations. — novaya_eu
- The manual was criticized even by systemic parties. — novaya_eu
Coverage (4 sources)
- Public Chamber banned its observers from evaluating the conduct of elections before tallying their results — ЭХО / Новости
- Observers banned from evaluating elections before results are announced and publishing 'unverified information' to avoid undermining trust in the electoral system — Новая газета Европа
- Observers banned from publicly assessing violations before results are tallied — to avoid undermining trust in the election system — ASTRA
- Observers banned from pointing out violations to avoid undermining trust in the electoral system — SOTAvision