Citizens’ Election Observation in the Eastern Partnership and the Russian Federation in 2013

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 "Vote=hope". Photo credit: D.James | Darren J. Ryan / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

December 11th, 2013 (Wednesday) 10.00 – 12.00
Stefan Batory Foundation
Sapieżyńska 10a, Warsaw, Poland

Elections in Eastern Europe in 2013 have demonstrated once again the decisive role of citizens’ election observation on political transformation processes. The election observation in Georgia has prevented a roll-back and has contributed to the legitimization of the newly elected Georgian President. The presence of citizens’ observers during the Moscow city major elections in September has prevented notorious falsification and has safeguarded the votes for Aleksej Navalny. At the same time we observe pressure on election observers and influence on members of international observation missions in order to legitimate rigged elections as lastly during the Presidential elections in Azerbaijan. How do citizens’ election observers address these challenges? How can international institutions and civil society support independent citizens’ election observation throughout Europe? How do election observation networks prepare to the upcoming elections in 2014 and 2015 in Moldova, Azerbaijan, Belarus and Ukraine?

Download the programme in a PDF file

Welcome words: Ewa Kulik-Bielińska, Stefan Batory Foundation
Lilia Shibanova, Association GOLOS, Russia
Anar Mamadli, EMDS, Azerbaijan
Nino Lomjaria, ISFED, Georgia
Artur Sakunts, HCAVanadzor, Armenia
Berit Lindeman, NHC, Norway
Facilitation: Stefanie Schiffer, European Exchange, Germany

We are glad to invite you to the discussion of these questions with outstanding experts and citizens’ election observers. Conference languages are Russian / English / Polish, translation will be provided. We ask you to confirm your participation until Monday, December 9th 2013 to assistenz@european-exchange.org.

The conference is financially supported through Federal Foreign Office, Heinrich Boell Foundation, European Union.

EPDE (European Platform for Democratic Elections) is a network of 13 civil society organizations conducting or supporting citizens’ election observation throughout Europe.