News

EPDE Publication Fake election observation as Russia's tool of election interference: The Case of AFRIC

March 26, 2020

In this new report, Anton Shekhovtsov analyzes how the structures of "Putin's Chef" Yevgeniy Prigozhin interfere in electoral processes in African countries with the help of fake election observation. This report focuses on the Association for Free Research and International Cooperation (AFRIC), an organization with links to Prigozhin and which Shekhovtsov has previously investigated and found to be involved in politically biased election observation and pro-Kremlin efforts.

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COVID-19 Postponed elections due to COVID-19

March 26, 2020

Civil Network Opora developed this map based on information from IFES showing all the countries who have been forced to postpone elections due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Ukraine Preliminary report on Kharkiv region by-elections

March 18, 2020

Civil Network Opora found that these by-elections were generally quite competitive. Voting and vote counting procedures met basic standards of democratic elections and violations were not of an organized and planned nature. Voter turnout was quite low, dropping by 23.54% compared to turnout during the extraordinary Parliamentary elections in 2019. This is due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but also due to the candidate from the 'Servant of the People' party withdrawing from the ballot.

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Moldova By-elections Moldova - low turnout due to COVID-19 and authorities' unclear response

PromoLeEX found that the by-elections in Hincesti raion generally followed standard voting procedures with only few recorded instances. Voter turnout was significantly lower compared to previous elections, which is most likely due to the public’s uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak and the authorities’ response to this. Authorities both called on the public to stay home yet still decided to hold the elections.

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Armenia Need for unbiased formation of PECs ahead of referendum

The "Independent Observer" Alliance, of which EPDE's HCAV is a member, received reports of acquaintances of precinct election commission (PEC) members being offered positions on PECs. This may be a technical issue, but highlights the need for an unbiased approach to the formation of PECs, giving preference to standing commissioners.

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Ukraine Kharkiv region by-elections: OPORA records some violations but generally campaign meets basic democratic standards

OPORA states that during the by-election campaign in Kharkiv region, where by-elections are taking place 15 March, they did not observe any cases of vote buying. However, these interim elections have yet again illustrated the need to improve mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability of election campaign financing. Only 26 out of 40 candidates released information about their election funds.

more ... Kharkiv region by-elections: OPORA records some violations but generally campaign meets basic democratic standards

Moldova CEC failed to analyze 2019 financial reports of political parties

The Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections in Moldova calls urgently on the CEC to examine the financial reports submitted by political parties for the first reporting period of 2019, as the limitation period in which action can be taken against any violations committed during this period is nearly ending. Civic monitoring reports have found several problematic aspects in the financial reporting of political parties during this period.

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Russia Election alert # 3 - Constitutional amendments in Russia – risk of a legal chaos

On January 20, 2020, the president of Russia submitted to the State Duma a draft law on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. To pass these amendments, authorities have also proposed to call an "all-Russian vote". These attempts to amend the constitution by calling such a vote instead of through existing legal procedures like a referendum raise serious concerns among Russian election experts about the legality of the constitutional change.

more ... Election alert # 3 - Constitutional amendments in Russia – risk of a legal chaos

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