Powerful oversight for a legal election: CSC sets stage for September vote to select the governor of Sverdlovsk region
In the lead-up to the upcoming gubernatorial elections, several key organisations are working together to maintain transparency and integrity in the voting process. The Public Monitoring Center (PMC) is at the forefront of these efforts, collaborating with the regional human rights commissioner, Tatiana Merzlyakova, and various public organisations.
Alexander Levin, chairman of the regional Public Chamber, emphasised the importance of every election, stating, "Every election is important for ensuring the legitimacy of the vote." The PMC has deployed its monitoring centre at the Palace of Youth, ready to respond to any potential issues during the voting period.
The Public Chamber is also actively involved, aiming to train up to 7,500 observers for the elections. This extensive training programme will equip observers with the knowledge and skills needed to document any violations and work effectively with election commissions.
Several public organisations, including LDPR, the Center for Ethnocultural Studies, the Organization of War and Labor Veterans, and the public chambers of Artemovsky and Verkhny Tagil, have signed agreements of cooperation with the PMC. These partnerships will strengthen the monitoring efforts and ensure a broad coverage of polling stations.
The human rights commissioner, Tatiana Merzlyakova, has reassured the public that the PMC will respond immediately to any provocative situations during the elections. Furthermore, a rapid response group will be on duty at the PMC during the voting days to address appeals and signals from voters.
Throughout the years, PMC-related groups like Russia’s independent election watchdog Golos have played a crucial role in ensuring the legitimacy of elections. They have trained observers on how to document violations, worked effectively with election commissions, and filed formal complaints. They have also conducted workshops and produced manuals for civic groups, built regional civic monitoring hubs, and uncovered instances of "carousel voting."
However, the landscape for independent election oversight has become increasingly difficult. Post-2025, groups like Golos have been forced to shut down due to legal and political pressures. This lack of infrastructure and expertise from independent organisations poses challenges to the training and deployment of observers, and increases the risk of arrest or prosecution for those who choose to monitor the elections.
Pro-government institutions are also encroaching on roles traditionally held by independent civic bodies, potentially compromising impartial public oversight. Despite these challenges, the PMC and its partners remain committed to maintaining transparency during the voting process and ensuring the legitimacy of the elections.
In addition to the training and deployment of observers, the PMC has installed surveillance cameras at polling stations to serve as an additional safeguard. These cameras record incidents in real time, providing valuable evidence in case of any violations. Formal complaints and legal avenues also exist to sanction illicit behaviour, such as party officials illegally disseminating propaganda or manipulating the electoral process.
In summary, the PMC and its partners play a vital role in ensuring the legitimacy of the gubernatorial elections. Their efforts, primarily focused on observer training and deployment, documentation of violations, and legal accountability measures, serve as a deterrent against electoral fraud and help maintain transparency during voting. However, the increasing governmental constraints and legal suppression pose significant challenges to the effectiveness of these independent watchdogs, potentially undermining election transparency and the ability to proactively manage provocations during voting.
[1] References omitted for brevity.
The Public Monitoring Center (PMC) is not only focusing on deploying its monitoring center and training observers for the upcoming gubernatorial elections, but also collaborating with various public organisations to maintain transparency and integrity in policy-and-legislation, thereby playing a crucial role in politics and general-news. The PMC's efforts to install surveillance cameras and establish legal avenues for addressing violations highlight their commitment to fighting against potential fraud and ensuring a legitimate voting process.
