From: Andrey Ozharovskii [email protected]

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The URL for this page is: http://www.friends-partners.org/~ccsi/announce/idc.htm
Uploaded March 12, 1998

Center for Civil Society International [email protected]