Korolev court imposed a fine on election observer

The Court of Korolev has found the citizen observer Alisa Kuznetsova guilty of interfering in the work of the PEC. The lady was fined with 2000 rubles. The defense does not agree with decision and will appeal it.

The Law enforcement accused the election official in an advisory capacity of PEC No. 1110 Alisa Kuznetsova of taking pictures of voter lists, interference causing delayed departure for mobile voting, talking to voters and hampering the commission work. The PEC chairman noted that Alisa approached her at the time of influx of voters, seemingly with intention to distract her from work. In their view, such actions fall under Article 5.69 of the Administrative Code.

Alisa Kuznetsova believes that the case has been opened against her as she refused to leave the polling station after she was illegally expelled. She has rejected all charges. The observer explained to the court that she took pictures of voter book which was not bound (which is a violation) and that she did not interfere in the commission work. Moreover, Kuznetsova noted that the commission did issue a copy of the final protocol as prescribed by law. The Korolev Court as well dealt with a similar case against Andrei Kalmykov, who was observing the election at the PEC No. 1088. However, the documents were sent back for revision to the police.

The Court had no opportunity to scrutinize the recordings of security cameras installed at both polling stations. The movement ‘Sonar’ has streamed the hearing broadcast on its Twitter account. According to the coordinator of movement ‘Golos’, on the polling day, September 18, in Korolev the observers were expelled from 12 PECs. In addition, the citizen observers had to leave the polling station No. 1094 as they were threatened. After the elections, in Korolev, the law enforcement has opened 5 cases with administrative charges concerning the interference in the commission work.

It should be noted, in respect to the law amendments, only a court can take a decision to expel an observer or PEC member in an advisory capacity from a polling station. The Central Election Commission has expressed its discontent with the behavior of local commissions, as previously the expulsion of observers was suggested as a last resort. In early October, the chairman of the commission Ella Pamfilova announced, CEC addressed the expulsion cases in Korolev to the Investigative Committee and the Interior Ministry.

‘We should put an end to such practice in Korolev. If there are any facts, I will address the situation in the city to the governor’, - said Pamfilova.