Russian authorities shelve plans for mass rollout of electronic voting
Russian authorities have decided to scale back the use of remote electronic voting (REV), which is no longer seen as a priority project. According to the outlet Verstka, the system will not be widely deployed in the State Duma elections scheduled for 20 September 2026. There are several reasons for that. Firstly, the Kremlin is reportedly […]
Russian Election Monitor: Statement on Russian regional elections 2025
Russian Election Monitor: Statement on Russian regional elections 2025 15 September 2025 12, 13 and 14 September 2025 in Russia were days of elections of 20 governors, 11 regional parliaments and 25 city councils of regional capitals. Overall, elections were held in 81 regions with more than 5,000 election campaigns at various levels. 46,000 deputy […]
Providing Insights into the Kremlin’s Obstruction of Elections – Domestically and Worldwide | EPDE and REM Launch Partnership
The European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) announces a new strategic partnership with the Russian Election Monitor (REM), an initiative providing an independent regional perspective on Russia’s electoral landscape, often overlooked in Moscow-centred narratives. The cooperation aims to deepen the understanding of the Kremlin’s methods of electoral manipulation and disinformation, while supporting efforts to safeguard […]
GNDEM Condemns Conviction of Nonpartisan Election Observer Leader in Russia
The Global Network for Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) strongly condemns the sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants, the co-chair of nonpartisan election observation organization and GNDEM member Golos, to five years in prison. Golos is a leading independent election monitoring organization in Russia, providing citizens with fact-based information and analysis on democratic processes in the country. This ruling […]
Statement | Criminalizing Election Monitors: Russian Court Sentences Golos Co-Chair to 5 Years in Prison
“Some may find it boring, but the kind of society we all dream of is impossible without fair laws and a transparent process that works.“ – Grigory Melkonyants in his closing statement of his criminal case. EPDE condemns today’s verdict handed down by Judge Evgeniya Nikolaeva, sentencing Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the Russian election observation group […]
New Report: Undermining Institutions: How the Kremlin Involves International Election Management Bodies in Fake Observation Activities
Context, analysis, and recommendations by Łukasz Kondraciuk, Stefanie Schiffer Russia’s local elections in September 2024, concentrated on the so-called Single Voting Day, were marked by unprecedented restrictions on independent opposition, media, and election observers. To legitimize the elected politicians in the eyes of the Russian voters and international audiences, the Russian Central Election Commission invited […]
Russia, Azerbaijan, Georgia: pressure on human rights defenders intensifies
The human rights situation in some post-Soviet countries continues to deteriorate. It is particularly noticeable in Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Viasna offers a selection of repressions against human rights defenders, independent media representatives and public activists in August. Azerbaijan: “Abzas Media Case”, persecution of Anar Mammadli and new political prisoners New charges against those arrested […]
Fake International Observers and Experts at Russia’s Fraudulent 2024 “Presidential Election”
EPDE identified 178 fake observers invited by the Russian authorities, including many Western politicians and elected officials, to give international legitimacy to the “presidential elections.” On 15-17 March 2024, Russia held “presidential elections”, in which four people allegedly competed for the Russian presidential post, including none from the democratic opposition, which is outlawed in the country in […]
Russia’s fraudulent March 15-17, 2024 presidential “election” validated by fake observers from 129 countries
To legitimize the election process, Russia’s Central Election Commission announced the invitation of a proud number of 1115 “international observers” from 129 countries. EPDE identified around 150 of fake observers and “experts”, among them rather unknown European local politicians and activists representing or affiliated with far-right parties or movements.
Press Statement: Russia’s fraudulent March 15-17, 2024 presidential “election” validated by fake observers from 129 countries
To legitimize the election process, Russia’s Central Election Commission announced the invitation of a proud number of 1115 “international observers” from 129 countries. EPDE identified around 150 of fake observers and “experts”, among them rather unknown European local politicians and activists representing or affiliated with far-right parties or movements. The Russian Federation held presidential “elections” […]