More than half of the 121 recommendations of OSCE/ODIHR on elections have not been implemented. The Golos Movement analysed the reports of the organization following the results of five federal elections in Russia from 2003 to 2016. The worst situation can be found in the regulation of agitation and media work: only six of the Bureau's 25 recommendations were implemented to some extent. In addition, the problem of using administrative resources remains unresolved. Most effective is the reform of procedures governing the voting and counting process.

The system of financing election campaigns and political parties in Russia remains opaque. Often, the costs of paying for the services of political consultants, which make up a significant share of the expenses in any major election campaign, remain in the "shadow." At the same time, financial violations amounting to more than 10% of the limit of an electoral fund are grounds for cancelation of the election results. Thus, the prevailing practice raises questions about the legitimacy of past election results.

EPDE publishes the second report, written by its Russian member, the “Golos” Movement, which analyzes in detail electoral problems, practices and challenges of the elections, held on "Single Voting Day", 10 September 2017. According to the report, the very topic of the elections is treated with silence in the media, and the election commissions that organize municipal elections are not overly zealous in informing voters about the election date.