Centre for Monitoring Democratic Processes «Quorum»

On April, 21st the chairman of the Central Electoral Committee Vladimir Churov has met heads of the organisations - members of Association on protection of suffrages of citizens «Civiс Сontrol».

Within the limits of informal dialogue representatives of the non-governmental organisations told about results of work of association during uniform day of voting, and about plans on the further cooperation in sphere of legal education of citizens and counteractions to infringements of the elective legislation.

In the opening address Vladimir Churov has noticed that the Civil society of the Russian Federation not simply exists, but also actively co-operates with ЦИКом, promoting that «to an openness and extreme high level of cooperation between election committee and representatives of the non-governmental organisations. That system of interaction which has developed throughout last 15 years – is unique, and demands constant development and savings». It is possible to judge results of such work already today: it is started five hot lines on federal and local elections, together with public organisations huge analytical work is spent, NGO's actively participate in informing and training of voters.

According to Vladimir Churov, «many innovations of an electoral system pass wide public approbation and discussion with attraction of representatives of the civil non-governmental organisations».

In turn members of Association, have underlined that various structures participate in procedure of the civil control over elections on the specialisation.
In the performance the chairman of public association «European club» Vladimir Koptev-Dvornikov, has noticed that two years «the Civil control» closely co-operates with Public chamber, especially in questions of strengthening of the control over activity of the authorities which are responsible for elections. The organisations in this time entering into it besides the other have generated regional structures, have started the Internet sites, have expanded the international contacts.

The international cooperation of Association «Civiс Control» carries out the European Center of the Geopolitical Analysis together with the Center for Monitoring Democratic Processes "Quorum".

Work plans in this area were presented by Alexei Kochetkov – general director of Centre for Monitoring Democratic Processes "Quorum": «In plans for the future – participation in supervision over elections in EuroParliament. Basically negotiations with the organisations of three countries – Poland, France, Germany are carried on. And also work on opening of points of the civil control in Tskhinvali begins. On May, 6th the organisation and carrying out of a round table with participation of the European experts «Development of democratic institutes of republic South Ossetia in the first year after an independence recognition». It will be devoted for including to formation of electoral base in the conditions of independence of the new state». To these elections, according to A. Kochetkov, it should be given particular attention, since it is the first elections in already recognised state.

During discussion by the plans Alexander Brod - the director of «Moscow bureau under human rights» which has told about the work together with coordination council of Public chamber has shared also. And also has initiated possibility of carrying out of meetings of members of Association with representatives of political parties and necessities «to hold joint seminars for party observers, to discuss questions of interaction with mass-media, and to analyse those offers and claims which are at our parties at the last elections». V. Churov has in turn noticed that the relation to mass-media, both from outside the non-governmental organisations, and from outside state structures, very valid. Interaction in a similar key is necessary for continuing, «it is necessary to organise discussions on pages of the press, discussion on air with participation of experts of a civil society».

About results of the spent work in the field of cooperation with the European Union has told head ECGA, Marina Kochetkova:« Development of this direction is conducted since 2006, and the most successful cooperation, at us has developed with the European non-governmental organisations and politicians Western and the Eastern Europe. Some of them repeatedly took part in elections of different level in the Russian Federation, as the international observers and experts. On March, 18th with support of eurodeputies, we have spent a round table in the European Parliament where have discussed a role of a civil society in monitoring of elections. The theme has caused a great interest in all participants as in the Russian Federation on March, 1st have taken place the next regional elections, and in June in the European Union will pass elections in EuroParliament». Deputies have addressed to representatives of the Russian delegation with the invitation to participate in supervision over their pre-election process and days of voting. In this connection the delegation of observers from «Civiс Сontrol» is now formed.

Denis Dvornikov, the rector of "European Club of Professionals» has told about end of installation of a documentary film about Association's work. He has underlined that the working version of this film he will present to CEC already in the near future.

The head of the Center of Social and Political Researches "Aspect" Georgiy Fedorov has told about work of the organisation. A direction of activity of "Aspect" is work with youth. By results of elections they have spent a round table where representatives of the youth party and informal organisations have taken part. And also representatives of CEC and Public Chamber. G.Fedorov has underlined that participants of action have expressed a wish to spend similar discussions regularly as in regions it is difficult to active people to declare itself and the political position, and participating in round tables at them there is such possibility. Especially, to exchange opinions with politicians and civil servants.

V. Churov has suggested to assist Central Electoral Committee to the "Civic Control" in activity directions, and has designated employees and members of the CEС to whom "Civic Control" members can address.