[CivilSoc] Study trip and election observation in Russia

Thu, 01 Nov 2001 09:12:25 -0800

From: "Andrey Ozharovskii" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2001 1:08 AM
Subject: study trip and election observation in Russia
This is the final call for participants for elections in December. Please,
send your applications BEFORE NOVEMBER 15TH.
International Discussion Club - Election Observation Program
 Study Trips and Election Observation at local elections and by-elections in
Russia
BRIEFLY
IDC invites political leaders, active members of political parties and
youth political organisations and NGOs, students, people involved into
political and East European studies to take part in  political seminars and
to join the team of official foreign observers at upcoming local elections
in Russia.
The elections are:
December 9th - Duma election at Murmansk Oblast;
December 16th - Legislative Assembly election at Leningradskaya oblast;
December 16th - Duma election at Moscow City;
December 16th - Duma election at Moscow Oblast;
December 16th - Gubernatorial election at Chuvash Republic;
There are also several elections in Spring 2002. Details available at
http://idc.cis.lead.org/observer/
BACKGROUND
According to Russian legislation the election procedure is open for domestic
and foreign observers. IDC has a good experience in field of international
election observation at all the general elections in Russia since 1993 and
at a number of local elections.
To be recognised as an observer, a participant must be supported by a
Russian organisation or institution and to get accreditation at the Central
Election Commission of Russia. IDC will assist with this legal procedure.
OSCE and other international organisations usually do not monitor local
elections in Russia, so it is the job for NGOs. IDC will try to do this job
well. And we hope that you will help us and join IDC crew of international
election observers.
AIMS AND PURPOSES
* To introduce the participants into Russian political life.
* To assist carrying out free and fair elections and to prevent law
violations during the elections.
* To carry out international election observation.
PROGRAM
We offer a program which combines a 3-days introduction political  seminar,
election observation on the voting day and de-briefing and preparing reports
to the Central Election Commission after the election day.
During the seminar the participants will be introduced into Russian
electoral legislation and in political situation in the districts. Site
visits to headquarters of political parties and candidates, as well as
attending rallies and press-conferences is also in our agenda.
The participants will also receive training for election observation.
Seminar and training will be held in English and Russian.
At the voting day the participants will monitor voting and results
tabulation at polling places and in territorial election commissions.
Necessary accreditation will be provided by IDC.  Provisional programs are
published at IDC website.
SCHEDULE
* Arriving to Moscow, transportation to the destination (Wednesday).
* A 3-days introduction seminar and observers training (Thursday -
Saturday).
* Election observation (Sunday).
* De-briefing, reports drafting (Monday)
* Transportation to Moscow, departure home (Tuesday)
As we do not expect many participants the program and schedule can be
adopted to individual wishes.
PARTICIPANTS
Everyone who is interested in election observation, has basic knowledge of
political and electoral systems and some knowledge of Russia and Russian
language can apply for participation. To apply one should fill in an
application form.
Application deadline is 3 weeks before the voting day. IDC will make
selection and will inform about it results. The Central Election Commission
will review the applications and issue accreditations.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Unfortunately we do not have a grant for this project. All th participants
should cover their expenses themselves and to pay an admission fee of $70-50
(depends on location). The participants can apply to foundations in their
countries on to their national Foreign ministries for the support. The IDC
will assist in getting the Russian visa, will assist with accommodation and
in country transportation. The ground costs depends on duration of stay and
on your requests. We will send a provisional ground costs calculation to
those who is interested to apply.
For application forms and further details, please visit our website
http://idc.cis.lead.org/observer/
Or give us e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or
[email protected]
ORGANISERS
International Discussion Club (IDC) is a Russian NGO for international
co-operation. IDC is NOT a debating society. We are a project-orientated
voluntary public association with branches in  Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk
Novorossiysk and Murmansk.
We invite international observers to Russian elections since 1993.  During
the previous federal elections in December 1999 and in  March 2000 over 60
participants took part in the IDC programs.
Please, visit IDC Observers' Site - http://idc.cis.lead.org/observer/ to
find updates about the program in 2001 and reports about our previous
activity.
CONTACTS
Andrey Ozharovskii, IDC president,
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected], ICQ 11699217
fax: +7-095-9563586