Against the backdrop of cheerful tricks like these: Alexander Aksenov, head of the administration of Moscow’s Sokolinaya Gora district, demanded that company managers collect absentee certificates from their employees and hand them over to officials so that United Russia could secure 58% of the vote in Moscow. Gazeta.Ru has a recording of the official’s closed-door speech, in which he explains in detail how the plan for delivering votes to the party in power is supposed to be carried out. http://www.gazeta.ru/politics/elections2011/2011/11/23_a_3845210.shtml of course, the role of election observers becomes even more important. But it is important to remember that what we need is not just observers, but good, competent observers. (my post on "how to become an observer" is here) Andrei abuzin Buzin, one of Russia’s best lawyers in the field of election law (his website), asked me to post these simple and accessible materials. A special video course for observers. 16 short real-life videos illustrating practical situations that arise while observing at a polling station. Students with absentee certificates. Ballot stuffing, etc. It’s useful to watch and be prepared for this kind of thing. A presentation on theory http://www.slideshare.net/alburov/ss-10182691 A presentation on practice http://www.slideshare.net/alburov/ss-10182690 A handbook for short-term observers in Russian elections (read/download) An observer’s talisman in a precinct election commission (read/download) In addition, I’d like to draw your attention to: An interactive training guide for observers. A special short legal memo for those distributing campaign materials against the Party of Crooks and Thieves (author: the same Buzin). A memo for voters on photo and video recording at the polling station. Let’s get sharpened up, citizens—study the nuts and bolts so we can fight the Crooks and Thieves more effectively. PS thanks to albu**rov** for organizing these materials
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