Center for Civil Society International ([email protected])
Wed, 11 Mar 1998 10:27:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Andrey Ozharovskii <[email protected]>
The International Discussion Club - Moscow
presents a project
Monitoring of Duma by-elections in Moscow, Russia, April 1998
1. Introduction.
Young Russian democracy needs support. Free and fair election is one
of the main instruments of democracy. The Russian Federation has fixed
in the electoral legislation openness the election procedure for
domestic and foreign observers. Among about one thousand of
international observers at the Presidential elections in Summer 1996
there were a dozen observers invited by the IDC.
By-elections to the Duma (Federal Parliament) and in Moscow district
Orechovo on April 12, 1998. The IDC invites political leaders,
active members of political parties and youth political
organizations, and people involved in political studies to take part in
a seminar devoted to the political life in Moscow and to join the
team of official foreign observers.
2. Goals.
* To introduce the participants into Russian political life. To allow
them to make contacts with representatives of different political forces,
governmental institutions, NGOs, etc.
* To assist carrying out free and fair elections, to stimulate
activity of domestic election observers and to prevent law violations
during the elections.
3. What we are offering.
We want to carry out a 4 day introduction seminar before the voting
to inform the participants about the current election legislation
and the observers' rights, and to introduce them to the local political
situation. The appropriate accreditation by the Central Election
Commission of Russia will be prepared for each participant. IDC will
provide technical support - visa, accommodations and program, but,
unfortunately, we are not able to pay for it or to give any financial
support.
4. Programme.
It is known, that campaign activity is chaotic and unpredictable.
That's why we cannot publish a fixed programme now. The following
events will be included in the programme:
* attending press conferences with the candidates;
* visiting rallies;
* discussions and meetings with political leaders,
scientists, journalists;
* meeting with members of electoral commissions, polling stations
staff;
* inspection of the voting and ballot counting at polling stations.
The participants are free to carry out their own activity and
projects (like polls, surveys, investigations).
5. Timetable.
We offer a 5 day programme. The events in Moscow will start 3 days
before the election day, on April 9th. On election day (April
12th) all the participants are expected to be at polling stations
watching the voting and ballot counting. Participants will leave on
April 13th, after discussion of the results and exchange of
experience. Participants can come earlier and leave later in
accordance with their wishes.
6. Who Can Apply.
Everyone is interested in the Russian political life and is
experienced in Russian culture and language is welcome. We are going
to attract as many participants as we can. Please, tell your friends
about our programme. We are especially interested in attracting those
foreigners who are going to Russia soon by themselves or who are
already in Russia.
7. Technical details.
Unfortunately we did not succeed in getting a grant for this project.
All the participants should cover their expenses themselves and pay
an admission fee. The participants can apply to foundations in their
countries or to their national Foreign ministries for support. The
IDC will provide the visa support, but the participants have to apply to a
Consulate for the visa themselves. The IDC will provide accommodation
and interpreting, if necessary. The ground cost depends on duration of
stay and on your requests. Support in Moscow and St.Petersburg
(accommodation, transfers, train tickets) is also available.
8. How to apply.
To make an application and for further information, please contact the
IDC by e-mail: [email protected] or by fax +7-095-2002265 [for
IDC]. More information about the IDC and on this project is available
through Internet: http://idc.cis.lead.org/observer/
There you can find information about IDC election observation in
1993, 95 and 96 in Russia, schedules of the pre-election seminars,
reports, impressions of the participants.
9. Official accreditation.
To apply for an accreditation of the Central Electoral Commission the
participant should send us by e-mail or fax an informal application
letter with information about her/his background and current position
and describe, why s/he is interested in the election observation
project.
We need the following personal data:
names of organizations you represent (media, NGO, research,
government); official addresses, tel/fax of these organizations;
your full name, DOB, occupation, training, passport No, home
address, phone, fax.
10. Paying.
Unfortunately we did not get any financial support for the programme,
so if you decide to come you should cover your expenses yourself. If
you need any official confirmation of your participation, we will
provide it.
The participants should pay the admission fee and the IDC expanses in
cash on arriving.
The fee of $75. will partly cover the IDC expanses of:
arranging "observers accreditation";
organizing a pre-election political seminar;
general assistance (introduction, guiding, interpreting).
The fee does not include:
visa support;
accommodation and food;
transportation.
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