Russia gives up on video monitoring of elections
There will be almost no video monitoring of elections on the next election day in Russia, which is scheduled for September 13, 2014. The Central Election Commission of Russia has reported that the vast majority of regional and municipal authorities have not allocated any funding for video recording equipment. Live video monitoring had been used during Russian elections previously to ensure that polling stations follow protocol.
Out of a total of 21 regions due to hold gubernatorial elections in September, only two will use video cameras at select polling stations. Leningrad region allocated funds for cameras at 300 of its 956 polling stations. In Rostov region, 100 out of 2606 polling stations will get the equipment. All Legislative Assembly elections will be held without video camera equipment.
“The law does not require video monitoring at elections,” said Maia Grishina, member of the Central Election Committee.
- Widespread video monitoring was used during presidential elections in 2012. Funding for the equipment was allocated from the federal budget, and the installation of the equipment was covered in detail by Russian media.
- After 2012, the financial burden of installing video equipment fell on regional and local authorities. On election day in 2014, video cameras were installed in only 4 out of 84 regions.