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Chapter II. ELECTION COMMISSIONS Article 12. System and Status of Election Commissions in the Election of the President of the Russian Federation 1. The election of the President of the Russian Federation shall be prepared and conducted by: the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation; territorial election commissions - rayon, city and other territorial election commissions or election commissions of municipalities acting as territorial election commissions in the cases provided for in the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum“; precinct election commissions. 2. The powers and operating procedures of election commissions in the election of the President of the Russian Federation ("election commissions") shall be established by the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum,” this Federal Law and other federal laws. 3. Decisions of a higher-level election commission taken within the scope of its competence shall be binding on lower-level election commissions. 4. Election commissions shall be obliged, within the scope of their competence, to consider the grievances which they receive in the course of the election campaign concerning violations of this Federal Law, other federal laws as regards the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation; carry out inquires in connection with these grievances; provide written answers to the complainants within five days but not later than the day preceding voting day, and respond immediately to grievances received on voting day or the next day. If additional verification of the facts cited in these grievances is necessary, the decisions on such grievances shall be taken within ten days. If the grievance cites the facts of violation by any candidate or political party of the provisions of this Federal Law, other federal laws as regards the preparation and conduct of the election, then the candidate or the political party or their authorized representatives shall be immediately informed of receipt of such grievance. The candidate or his authorized representative, the authorized representatives of the political party may give explanations on the substance of the grievance. If any candidate, any political party violates this Federal Law, the election commission may issue a warning to this candidate, this political party, which shall be made known to voters through the mass media or by some other method. (Clause 4 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 5. Election commissions may, particularly in connection with the grievances mentioned in Clause 4 of this article, apply to the law enforcement bodies and bodies of executive power and request them to carry out inquiries and stop violation of the provisions of this Federal Law, other federal laws regulating the preparation and conduct of the election and these bodies shall be obliged to take measures prescribed by the law to stop such violations within five days or not later than the day preceding voting day if the request was received five and less days before voting day or immediately, if the request was received on the day preceding voting day, on voting day or on the day following voting day. These bodies shall, without delay, inform the applying election commission about the results. If the facts cited in the request require additional investigation, such measures shall be taken within ten days. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 6. Election commissions shall inform voters about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the candidates, the political parties which nominated candidates, the progress of the election campaign. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 7. The decision of any election commission, which is contrary to law or goes outside the scope of its competence, shall be reversed by a higher-level commission or by a court. In this case, the higher-level election commission may take a decision on the substance of the matter or return the relevant materials for reconsideration to the lower-level election commission whose decision was reversed. If the lower-level commission fails to reconsider the matter, the decision on the substance of the matter may be taken by the higher-level election commission. (Clause 7 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 8. State bodies and organizations, bodies of local self-government, organizations with a charter (pool) capital in which the stake (contribution) of the Russian Federation, a subject of the Russian Federation or a municipality exceeds 30 percent thereof as of the day on which the decision to call the election of the President of the Russian Federation was officially published (made public), as well as officials of these bodies and organizations shall be obliged to assist election commissions in the exercise of their powers in accordance with the Russian Federation legislation on elections and referendums. (Clause 8 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 9. Repealed. – Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 10. State and municipal organizations which carry out television and/or radio broadcasting (“TV and radio broadcasting organizations”), state and municipal print media shall, within five days of receipt of such requests, allocate free air time to election commissions for voter information, in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, other federal laws, and shall provide free print space for the publication of acts and other decisions of election commissions and placement of other information. The expenses incurred by these TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media in provision of free air time and free print space to election commissions shall be borne by these organizations and print media. (Clause 10 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 11. State bodies, bodies of local self-government, political parties and other public associations, organizations of all forms of ownership, including TV and radio broadcasting organizations, print media as well as the officials of these bodies and organizations, shall furnish election commissions with the necessary information and materials and respond to requests of election commissions within five days, to requests received five and less than five days before voting day – not later than the day preceding voting day and to requests received on voting day and the day following voting day – immediately. Such information and materials shall be made available to election commission free of charge (as amended by Federal Laws No. 93 of July 21, 2005, Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007) Article 13. Formation of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Election Commissions of Subjects of the Russian Federation The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation shall be formed in compliance with the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” Article 14. Formation of Territorial Election Commissions (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 1. The powers of territorial election commissions in the election of the President of the Russian Federation shall be exercised by the territorial election commissions formed in accordance with the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum" or by the election commissions of municipalities acting as territorial election commissions in the cases provided for in the said Federal Law. If there is no such territorial election commission or no election commission of a municipality in some territory, it shall be formed in accordance with the said Federal Law not later than 35 days from the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election. The period for acceptance of proposals concerning membership of a territorial election commission shall not be less than one month. An announcement about the formation of a territorial election commission and the period for acceptance of proposals suggesting candidates for the commission shall be published (made public) before commencement of the acceptance of such proposals. 2. The election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation may form one or several territorial commissions to direct the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation carried out by precinct election commissions formed on ships at sea and at polar stations. Such territorial election commissions shall be formed subject to the general requirements to the formation of election commissions and the procedure for the formation of territorial election commissions established by the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum." 3. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may form one or several territorial commissions to direct the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation carried out by precinct election commissions formed in electoral precincts outside the territory of the Russian Federation. Such territorial election commissions shall consist of not less than five and not more than nine voting members, who do not come within the restrictions on the eligibility for the status of a voting member of an election commission, imposed by the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum." The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may vest the powers of such territorial commissions in the territorial commissions formed for the preparation and conduct of the election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. 4. The period of powers of territorial election commissions mentioned in Clauses 2 and 3 of this article shall be determined by the election commission which formed them. 5. The provisions of this Federal Law regulating the activity of territorial election commissions shall apply to the territorial election commissions mentioned in Clauses 2 and 3 of this article unless otherwise provided by this Federal Law. Article 15. Formation of Precinct Election Commissions 1. Precinct election commissions shall be formed not earlier than 30 days and not later than 23 days before voting day by the higher-level territorial election commission subject to the general requirements to the formation of election commissions and the procedure for the formation of precinct election commissions established by the Federal Law "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum," with the following number of members, depending on the number of voters registered on the territory of the electoral precinct: (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 1) up to 1000 voters: 3 to 9 voting members of the election commission; 2) from 1001 to 2001 voters: 7 to 12 voting members of the t election commission; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 3) over 2000 voters: 7 to 16 voting members of the election commission. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2. If voting day in the election of the President of the Russian Federation coincides with voting day in the election of federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government or with voting day in the referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, local referendum, the maximum number of voting members of a precinct election commission mentioned in Clause 1 of this article may be increased but by not more than four members. Additional labor remuneration for these members of the election commission and compensation for the period during which they are relieved from their main job shall be paid from the relevant budget. 3. The period for acceptance of proposals suggesting candidates for a precinct election commission shall not be less than 15 days. An announcement about the formation of precinct election commissions and the period for acceptance of proposals suggesting candidates for the commissions shall be published (made public) before commencement of the acceptance of such proposals. (Clause 3 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 4. In an electoral precinct formed at a polar station, on a ship at sea, on the territory of a military unit stationed in an isolated locality far from population centers, in a hard-to-reach or remote area, in places where voters stay temporarily or in places of settlement of voters who do not have registration at the place of residence within the Russian Federation the precinct election commission shall be formed within the period established by Clause 1 of this article and, in exceptional cases, not later than three days before voting day. (as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007) 5. In an electoral precinct formed outside the territory of the Russian Federation the precinct election commission shall be formed within the period established by Clause 1 of this article and, in exceptional cases, not later than three days before voting day, by the head of a diplomatic or consular mission of the Russian Federation or by the commander of a military unit stationed outside the territory of the Russian Federation. (as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007) 6. When a precinct election commission is to be formed in an electoral precinct located outside the territory of the Russian Federation: 1) the requirements concerning the maximum number of members of precinct election commissions set forth in Clause 1 of this article shall not apply if more than 3000 voters are registered in the electoral precinct; 2) the proposal suggesting a candidate for a precinct election commission, which was received from a political party whose federal list of candidates was included in the distribution of deputy seats in the last election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, preceding this election of the President of the Russian Federation, shall be subject to mandatory consideration only if the citizen of the Russian Federation who is entitled to an active electoral right and who has been suggested for inclusion in the said election commission permanently resides on the territory of the given foreign state. (Clause 6 was added by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 7. The higher-level territorial election commission shall issue voting members of a precinct election commission with an ID card of the form established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. (Clause 7 was added by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) Article 16. Appointment of Non-Voting Members of Election Commission s 1. Each candidate may, from the day on which he files registration documents with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, appoint one non-voting member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, and, after the registration, one non–voting member of each election commission of the subjects of the Russian Federation, each territorial and precinct election commission. Upon a candidate's request a non–voting member of territorial and precinct election commissions may be appointed by the agent of the candidate. Non–voting members of election commissions shall be issued with ID cards of the form approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2. Ineligible for appointment as non-voting members of election commissions shall be citizens of the Russian Federation who have not attained to the age of 18 years; citizens of the Russian Federation who have been pronounced incapable by a legally effective court decision; persons who do not have Russian Federation citizenship; citizens of the Russian Federation who have citizenship of a foreign state or a residence permit or another document confirming the right of a citizen of the Russian Federation to permanent residence on the territory of a foreign state; persons occupying elective offices; members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; deputies of the legislative (representative) bodies of state power; deputies of the representative bodies of municipalities; top executives of the subjects of the Russian Federation (heads of the highest executive bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation); heads of local administrations of municipal raions, urban districts, inner territories of cities of federal significance, settlements ("heads of local administrations"); persons holding command posts in military units, military organizations and institutions; judges; prosecutors; staff members of election commissions; agents of candidates and political parties. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93–FZ of July 21, 2005 and No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007) 3. The period of powers of a non-voting member of an election commission shall commence from the date on which the given election commission receives a written notification from the candidate or political party about the appointment of a non-voting member of the election commission and a written consent of the citizen to such appointment. The notification shall indicate the surname, first name and patronymic, the date and place of birth, citizenship, the series, number and date of issuance of the passport or an equivalent identity document, the name or code of the body which issued the passport or the equivalent document, the residence address of the citizen appointed non-voting member of an election commission. For the period indicated in Clause 1, Article 42 of this Federal Law the employer shall grant a non-voting member of an election commission an unpaid leave of absence upon his request. Clause 3 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 4. The powers of a non-voting member of an election commission may be terminated at any time by the candidate, the candidate's agent who appointed him. In election commissions functioning on a permanent basis the period of powers of non-voting members appointed by the candidate elected to the office of President of the Russian Federation or by his agent shall last until completion of the registration of candidates in the next election of the President of the Russian Federation. The powers of the other non-voting members of an election commission functioning on a permanent basis shall terminate on the day on which the election campaign in the election of the President of the Russian Federation ends. The powers of non–voting members of election commissions which function on a non–permanent basis shall terminate with the termination of powers of these commissions. If a candidate was refused registration or if his registration was annulled or cancelled, the powers of non-voting members of an election commission appointed by such candidate or his agent shall terminate from, respectively, the day of the refusal, the day of the annulment or cancellation of the registration of this candidate, and, if the refusal of registration has been appealed to a court, from the date on which the court decision affirming the refusal of registration became legally effective. (Clause 4 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 5. The candidate elected to the office of President of the Russian Federation shall, during the entire term of office, have the right to appoint non-voting members of election commissions functioning on a permanent basis, including appointment of such members to fill vacancies. Article 17. Organization of the Work of Election Commissions 1. The work of election commissions shall be organized in accordance with Article 28 of the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” 2. From the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of the President of the Russian Federation up to the day of the official publication of the election results, the national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall allocate to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, free of charge, not less than 15 minutes of air time and the regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall allocate to the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation not less than 10 minutes of air time every week on each of their channels to educate voters about the legislation on the election of the President of the Russian Federation and inform them about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the candidates, the political parties which nominated candidates, the progress of the election campaign and to answer voters' questions. The national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall also allocate to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, free of charge, not less than 10 minutes of air time every week on each of their channels for the aforementioned purposes in the period which commences six months before expiration of the period when the election of the President of the Russian Federation must be called and up to the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 3. During the period of the election campaign in the election of the President of the Russian Federation, the national state print media which are published weekly or more frequently shall allocate to the Central Election Commission, free of charge, not less than one–hundredth of the weekly print space. During the period of this election campaign the regional state print media which are published weekly or more frequently, shall allocate to the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation not less than one–hundredth of the weekly print space. Election commissions shall use this print space to educate voters about the legislation on the election of the President of the Russian Federation and inform them about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the candidates, the political parties which nominated candidates, the progress of the election campaign and to answer voters' questions. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) Article 18. Status of Election Commission Members The status of voting and non-voting members of election commissions is established by Article 29 of the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” Article 19. Powers of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation When preparing and conducting the election of the President of the Russian Federation the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, acting within the scope of its competence established by the federal laws, shall: 1) organize the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, direct the activity of the election commissions; (Sub–Clause 1 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2) monitor observance of electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation during the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation and ensure uniform application of this Federal Law; 3) issue instructions and other regulations on the issues relating to the application of this Federal Law; 4) render legal, methodological, organizational and technical assistance to election commissions; 5) direct the work of election commissions so as to ensure the uniform use of SAS "Vybory" and its separate technical facilities, including vote counting facilities; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 6) Repealed. – Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005. 7) register agents and authorized persons of political parties; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 8) register groups of voters formed to support self-nomination of candidates ("groups of voters") and their authorized representatives; 9) register agents of candidates and authorized representatives of candidates for financial matters; 10) register candidates; 11) issue ID cards of an established form to registered candidates, their agents and authorized representatives for financial matters; 12) ensure that the conditions of election campaigning established by this Federal Law, other federal laws should be observed for all candidates, political parties; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 13) hear reports of representatives of federal bodies of executive power, bodies of executive power of the subjects of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government on the issues relating to the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation; 14) determine the unified numeration of electoral precincts formed outside the territory of the Russian Federation; 15) approve the forms (including, when necessary, soft copy forms) of the documents connected with the preparation and conduct the election of the President of the Russian Federation; determine the methods of protection of ballots, absentee certificates and, if necessary, the methods of protection of voter lists and other documents connected with the preparation and conduct of the election; deal with the matters connected with the production of these documents; (Sub–Clause 15 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 16) Repealed. – Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005. 17) approve the Russian text of the ballot; 18) approve samples of seals of election commissions; 19) approve the procedure for the delivery of documents, connected with the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, to election commissions and approve, with the concurrence of the federal body of executive power in charge of normative-legal regulation in the archive-keeping sphere, the procedure for the safekeeping of these documents, their transfer to archives and their disposal upon expiration of their safekeeping periods; (Sub–Clause 19 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 20) distribute funds allocated from the federal budget for financing the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, work of election commissions and exercise of their powers, operation and development of the automation facilities, training of election officials and legal education of voters; exercise control over the proper use of the said funds and of the money contributed to the electoral funds of candidates; monitor observance of the requirements of this Federal Law, other federal laws to funding of election campaigns of candidates; 21) take measures to organize a uniform procedure for the distribution of air time and print space between registered candidates, political parties for election campaigning; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 22) develop standard quotas of the technical equipment (booths for voting, ballot boxes) required for the work of precinct election commissions; approve these standard quotas and exercise control over compliance therewith; (Sub–Clause 22 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 23) consider the issues relating to the logistical support of the election; 24) inform voters about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the candidates, the political parties which nominated candidates, the progress of the election campaign; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 25) consider complaints (grievances) concerning decisions and actions (omissions) of election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation and their officials and adopt reasoned decisions thereon; 26) determine the results of the election of the President of the Russian Federation and arrange for their official publication; issue a certificate of election to the elected President of the Russian Federation; 27) organize a repeat vote in the election of the President of the Russian Federation; 28) organize a repeat election of the President of the Russian Federation; 29) exercise other powers under this Federal Law and the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” Article 20. Powers of Election Commissions of Subjects of the Russian Federation When preparing and conducting the election of the President of the Russian Federation the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall: 1) coordinate the work of election commissions on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; 2) ensure interaction between the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and the bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation; 3) monitor observance of electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; 4) ensure that the conditions of election campaigning established by this Federal Law, other federal laws are observed for all candidates, all political parties on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 5) form territorial election commissions and appoint their chairmen; 6) ensure the uniform use of SAS "Vybory" on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the procedure established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 7) in accordance with the decisions of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation arrange for the production of ballots on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation and make arrangements for the delivery of ballots to territorial election commissions; 8) make arrangements for the delivery of absentee certificates, other electoral documents to lower-level election commissions; 9) distribute funds allocated to it for the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, in particular, distribute a part of these funds between territorial election commissions; exercise control over the proper use of these funds and use of the money contributed to the electoral funds of candidates; 10) establish the unified numeration of electoral precincts on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; 11) ensure compliance with the standard quotas of the technical equipment (booths for voting, ballot boxes) required for the work of precinct election commissions, compliance with the procedure for the safekeeping of these documents, their transfer to archives and their disposal upon expiration of their safekeeping periods approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 12) monitor compliance with the unified procedures for vote counting, determination of vote returns and election results on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; 13) hear reports of bodies of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government on the matters relating to the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation; 14) determine the vote returns on the territory of the subject t of the Russian Federation and deliver the protocol on voting returns to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 15) consider complaints (grievances) concerning decisions and actions (omissions) of territorial election commissions and their officials in the given subject of the Russian Federation and adopt reasoned decisions thereon; 16) inform voters about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the candidates, the political parties which nominated candidates, the progress of the election campaign; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 17) monitor compliance with the procedure and rules for election campaigning on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation; 18) exercise control over sums contributed to and expended from other electoral funds of a candidate referred to in Clause 10, Article 58 of this Federal Law and every week submit information about such sums to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; 19) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law, Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” Article 21. Powers of Territorial Election Commission s (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 1. During the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation a territorial election commission shall: 1) exercise control over the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation on the relevant territory; inform the population about the location and telephone numbers of the territorial election commission and precinct election commissions; 2) form precinct election commissions and appoint their chairmen; 3) coordinate the work of precinct election commissions on the relevant territory; adjudicate complaints (grievances) concerning decisions and actions (omissions) of these election commissions and adopt reasoned decisions thereon; 4) prepare voter lists for the relevant territory, separately for each precinct, in accordance with the form approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, save as otherwise provided by Clauses 3 – 6, Article 26 of this Federal Law; 5) hear the information of the representatives of bodies of local self-government on matters connected with the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation; 6) distribute funds allocated to it for financing the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, including between precinct election commissions; exercise control over the proper use of these funds; 7) together with the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation ensure that the conditions of election campaigning established by this Federal Law, other federal laws, are duly observed on the relevant territory for all candidates; 8) ensure that SAS "Vybory" is used on the relevant territory in accordance with the procedure approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; 9) make arrangements for the delivery of ballots and other documents, connected with the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, to precinct election commissions; 10) issue absentee certificates to voters; 11) render methodological, organizational, technical and other assistance to precinct election commissions in the organization of voting at polling stations; 12) ensure compliance with the standard quotas of the technical equipment (booths for voting, ballot boxes), approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation for precinct election commissions; 13) exercise control over and ensure compliance with a uniform procedure for vote counting and determination of vote returns on the relevant territory; 14) determine vote returns on the relevant territory, present them to the mass media and transfer the protocol on vote returns to the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation; 15) make arrangements for the transfer of documents, connected with the preparation and conduct of election of the President of the Russian Federation, to the higher-level election commission or to an archive institution of the subject of the Russian Federation in accordance with the procedure approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or dispose of such documents after expiration of their safekeeping periods; 16) inform voters about the time and procedure for the performance of electoral actions, the progress of the election campaign; 17) exercise control on the relevant territory over compliance with the voter information rules and the rules of election campaigning; 18) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law and the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” 2. Territorial election commissions formed in accordance with Clause 2, Article 14 of this Federal Law shall have the powers set forth in Clause 1 of this article, save the powers set forth in Sub–Clauses 4, 5, 10 and 16, Clause 1 of this article. Territorial election commissions formed in accordance with Clause 3, Article 14 of this Federal Law shall have the powers set forth in Clause 1 of this article, save the powers set forth in Sub–Clauses 2, 4, 5, 10 and 16, Clause 1 of this article. Article 22. Powers of Precinct Election Commission s 1. During the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation a precinct election commission shall: 1) inform the population about the address and telephone number of the precinct election commission, its working hours; about the day, time and place of voting; 2) update and, in the cases provided for in Clauses 3 – 6, Article 26 of this Federal Law, prepare and update the voter list; allow voters to examine the voter list; consider complaints about errors and inaccuracies in the voter list and make appropriate corrections therein; 3) prepare polling stations, ballot boxes and other equipment; 4) inform voters about registered candidates on the basis of the information received from the higher-level election commission; 5) monitor compliance with election campaigning rules on the territory of the electoral precinct; 6) issue absentee certificates to voters; 7) organize voting in the electoral precinct on voting day as well as early voting; 8) count votes, determine vote returns for the given electoral precinct and deliver the protocol on vote returns to the territorial election commission; 9) within the scope of its powers consider complaints (grievances) concerning violations of this Federal Law and take reasoned decisions thereon; 10) arrange for the safekeeping of documents connected with the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, transfer of these documents and their disposal in accordance with the rules approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; 11 ) exercise other powers under this Federal Law. 2. The period of powers of a precinct election commission shall expire 10 days after the day of the official publication of the general results of the election of the President of the Russian Federation if no complaints (grievances) have been received by the higher-lever election commission concerning decisions and actions (omissions) of the given election commission, which resulted in the violation of the voting and/or the vote-counting procedure and also if there are no on-going judicial proceedings in connection with such facts. If the vote returns for the relevant electoral precinct, relevant territory or the election results have been challenged, the period of powers of the precinct election commission shall expire from the date on which the higher-level election commission adopts its decision on the complaint (application) or a court ruling on the complaint (grievance) becomes legally effective. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) Article 23. Transparency of the Activity of Election Commissions 1. Members and staff personnel of higher-level election commissions, a registered candidate or his agent or authorized representative for financial matters may attend all meetings of any election commission and be present when a precinct, territorial election commission is working with voter lists, ballots, absentee certificates, protocols on vote returns and summary tables. The aforementioned persons shall not need any additional permission to attend the meeting of the relevant election commission and be present when it is working with the aforementioned electoral documents. The relevant election commission shall make arrangements to ensure free access of these persons to its meeting and to the premises where this election commission counts votes and works with the aforementioned documents. Vote counting may also be witnessed by the members of the press. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2. Election commissions shall inform the election commission of the next higher level, each registered candidate or his agent or authorized representative for financial matters about the time and place when and where the election commission is to hold its meetings and work with the electoral documents listed in Clause 1 of this article. 3. When election commissions are to adjudicate complaints (grievances), their meeting may be attended by the complainants and the representatives of the parties concerned, who may give explanations and submit evidence on the substance of the matter under consideration. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 4. Election commissions shall inform voters about the results of the registration of candidates; biographical data of registered candidates and other information about them, which was received by the election commissions in accordance with this Federal Law; the vote returns for each registered candidate and the results of the election of the President of the Russian Federation. 5. On voting day and on the days of early voting, the persons mentioned in Clause 1 of this article as well as observers, foreign (international) observers may be present at polling stations from the time a precinct election commission begins its work and until it is informed that the higher-level election commission has adopted a protocol on vote returns, and also during vote recount. 6. Observers, members of the press, foreign (international) observers may be present in other election commissions when these commissions are determining vote returns and election results, preparing protocols on vote returns, election results and when votes are recounted. 7. All members of an election commission, other persons mentioned in Clause 1 of this article, observers shall be allowed to enter the premises of a precinct election commission of any electoral precinct formed on the territory of a military unit, in a closed administrative-territorial unit, at a hospital, sanatorium, holiday hotel, in places where persons suspected of or charged with commission of a crime are held in custody and other places of temporary stay, as well as polling stations of these electoral precincts and the premises where votes are counted. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 8. Observers may be appointed by each registered candidate, each political party which nominated a registered candidate. Eligible to act as an observer shall be a citizen of the Russian Federation who is entitled to an active electoral right. Ineligible for appointment as observers shall be persons occupying elective offices, deputies, top executives of the subjects of the Russian Federation (heads of the highest executive bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation), heads of local administrations, persons directly subordinated to them, judges, prosecutors, voting members of election commissions. (Sub–Clause 8 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 9. The powers of an observer shall be certified in writing by the credentials issued by a registered candidate or his agent, a political party whose interests are represented by the given observer. The credentials shall indicate the surname, first name and patronymic of the observer; his residence address and telephone number (if any); the number of the electoral precinct and the name of the election commission (territorial or precinct commission) to which he is dispatched; the fact that the person does not come within the restrictions set forth in Clause 8 of this article. Provision of any additional information about the observer shall not be required. If an observer is dispatched by a candidate or his agent, the credentials need not be certified by a seal. The credentials shall be valid if produced together with the passport or an equivalent identity document. No advance notification about dispatching of an observer shall be required. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 10. The credentials mentioned in Clause 9 of this article may be produced to a precinct election commission in the period specified by Clause 5 of this article and to other election commissions – in the period from the commencement of voting at the polling station to completion of the work on the protocol on vote returns, election results, including results of vote recount. (Clause 10 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 11. A candidate, a political party may appoint several observers to each election commission, who may take turns while monitoring the conduct of voting and performance of other electoral actions at the polling station. Two and more persons, representing the interests of one registered candidate, one political party, shall not be allowed to act simultaneously as observers on the premises of an election commission or at the polling station. No restrictions other than those set forth in this Federal Law shall be imposed on the presence of observers on the premises of an election commission or at the polling station, on monitoring the conduct of voting, vote counting and preparation of protocols on vote returns and on the issuance of copies of these protocols. (Clause 11 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 12. An observer may: 1) inspect the voter lists, register of issued absentee certificates, absentee certificates kept by an election commission, register of applications for voting outside the polling station; (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2) be present at the polling station of the given electoral precinct on voting day at any time during the period mentioned in Clause 5 of this article; 3) observe issuance of ballots to voters; 4) be present when voters vote outside the polling station; 5) observe counting of the number of voters in the voter lists, the number of ballots issued to voters, the number of canceled ballots; observe vote counting at the polling station from a distance and under conditions which allow the observer to see the marks made by voters on the ballots; inspect any marked and unmarked ballots when votes are being counted; observe the preparation by the election commission of the protocol on vote returns and other documents during the period mentioned in Clause 5 of this article; 6) make proposals and remarks concerning organization of voting to the chairman of a precinct election commission or, in his absence, to a person acting for him; 7) inspect the protocol on vote returns of the election commission to which the observer is dispatched, the protocol on vote returns, election results of election commissions of the next lower level and the documents appended to these protocols; receive certified copies of these protocols from the election commission; (Sub–Clause 7 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 8) appeal decisions and actions (omissions) of the election commission, to which the observer was dispatched, directly to the election commission of the next higher level or to a court; 9) be present at vote recount carried out by the election commission; 13. Observers shall not: 1) issue ballots to voters; 2) sign for voters for the receipt of ballots when asked to do so by them; 3) mark ballots for voters and do so on their request; 4) do anything that might violate the secrecy of voting; 5) directly participate in the counting of ballots together with the voting members of an election commission; 6) interfere with the work of an election commission in any way; 7) carry on election campaigning among voters; 8) participate in the adoption of decisions by an election commission. 14. Members of the press, taking part in the information coverage of the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, may: 1) be present at meetings of election commissions; 2) inspect the protocol on vote returns of a precinct elections commission and with protocols on voter returns, election results, including repeat protocols, of other election commissions; 3) receives copies of the protocols mentioned in Sub–Clause 2 of this clause and the appended documents from the election commission; 4) attend election campaigning events and cover them in the mass media; 5) be present at the polling station on voting day and early voting day, tale photos and shoot video films. (Clause 14 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 15. Copies of protocols and of other documents of an election commission shall be certified by the chairman, deputy chairman or secretary of the election commission. To do so, the aforementioned persons shall write the words “This is a true copy” on the copy to be certified, sign this inscription, write their names and initials, indicate the date and time of certification and affix the seal of the election commission. 16. Non–voting members of election commissions, observers, members of the press present at voting and vote counting carried out by precinct election commissions may wear name tags free of any signs of election propaganda, which indicate their status, surname, first name and patronymic. The name tag of a non–voting member of an election commission shall also indicate the surname, first name and patronymic of the registered candidate who appointed him. The name tag of an observer shall indicate the surname, first name and patronymic of the registered candidate or the name of the political party who/which dispatched this observer to the election commission. The forms of name tags of non–voting members of election commissions and observers shall be established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. (Clause 16 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) Article 24. Foreign (International) Observers 1. Foreign (international) observers shall receive permission for entry into the Russian Federation in accordance with the procedure established by the federal law and, if they have an invitation mentioned in Clause 2 of this article, they shall be accredited by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 2. Invitations may be extended by the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council and the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation after the official publication of a decision to call the election of the President of the Russian Federation. The suggestions to extend invitations may be made by the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation, international and national governmental and non-governmental organizations and private persons who enjoy high prestige in the field of the protection of human rights and freedoms. (Clause 2 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 3. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall issue foreign (international) observers with an ID card of an established form on the basis of the documents presented by them (an application for accreditation as a foreign (international) observer; a copy of the invitation received from any body or person mentioned in Clause 2 of this article; an identity document). This ID card shall allow foreign (international) observers to act as such during the period mentioned in Clause 5 of this article. (Clause 3 as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 4. The activity of foreign (international) observers shall be regulated by this Federal Law, other federal laws and the international treaties of the Russian Federation. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 5. The period of powers of foreign (international) observers shall commence from the day on which they receives accreditation at the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and shall end on the day of the official publication of the general results of the election of the President of the Russian Federation. 6. Foreign (international) observers shall carry on their activity by themselves and independently. The material and financial support for the activity of foreign (international) observers shall be provided for the account of the organizations, which dispatched the, or for their own account. 7. During their stay on the territory of the Russian Federation foreign (international) observers shall be under the patronage of the government of the Russian Federation. Election commissions, federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of the subjects of the Russian Federation, other state bodies, bodies of local self-government, officials shall, within the scope of their competence, render the necessary assistance to foreign (international) observers. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 8. After the voting time ends on the entire territory of the Russian Federation, foreign (international) observers may express their opinion about the legislation on the election of the President of the Russian Federation and about the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation, hold press conferences and apply to the mass media. 9. Foreign (international) observers may meet with candidates and their agents and authorized representatives for financial matters, with authorized representatives of political parties and groups of voters. (as amended by Federal Law No. 93-FZ of July 21, 2005) 10. Foreign (international) observers shall not take advantage of their status to carry on activities unrelated to monitoring the course of the election campaign, the preparation and conduct of the election of the President of the Russian Federation. 11. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may revoke accreditation of a foreign (international) observer if he violates the federal laws or the universally accepted principles and norms of international law. |