Outcome of the Third Forum of Citizen Observers held in Yaroslavl

On May 20 and 21, the Third Forum of Citizen Observers (FCO) was held in Yaroslavl, which served as a platform for dialogue between the representatives of election observation organizations, experts, members of election commissions.

More than 90 participants from 35 regions of Russia participated in the Forum, including the representatives of 9 election observation organizations. The CEC member Alexander Kinyov, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Yaroslavl region Sergei Baburkin, the head of Department of Organizational, Methodological and Analytical Support of the Central Election Commission of Russia Olga Yagodina and the Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of the Yaroslavl Region Elena Novik as well took part in the Forum.

The agenda of two-day Forum included presentations of participants, working groups, group discussions and presentation of their findings, a round table meeting.

The topic of coordination of citizen observation activities during the 10 September 2017 Elections provoked a lively discussion. The members of election observation organizations shared their experience and methodologies. A special focus was paid to the interaction of citizen observers with election commissions of all levels - from the CEC of Russia to precinct commissions, as well as state and municipal bodies that contribute to the successful organization of elections.

Summarizing the results of the Forum, the participants have emphasized its effectiveness and relevance. Moreover, they have wished to hold the next, Fourth Forum of Citizen Observers, in some of the largest Russian city in December 2017.

Within a week, the editorial team will summarize the results of working groups, followed by the proposals of Forum of Citizen Observers that will be released and shared with election observation organizations, CEC of Russia, regional election commissions, the Human Rights and Civil Society Development Council under the President of Russia, the Human Rights Ombudsman in Russia and other interested parties.

We remind that in 2016 the First and the Second Forum were held respectively in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Grigory Melkonyants, the co-chairman of ‘Golos’ Movement