Ella, why this decision now? What problems it should solve?
Ella Pamfilova: Is one of the modern types of voting that can along with the traditional ways of having good prospects in the further development of the whole electoral system of the country. At least it has now formed a query from the new, digital generation of our citizens. Moreover, it is very important that it is now amended on deg (remote e-voting. – Approx. “RG”) in the relevant electoral laws. It is provided for and the procedures of the nationwide vote.
We, and the world, faced with new realities of a global pandemic that, apparently, will not disappear tomorrow in an instant. This new reality can result in a “new normality” in which we will be forced to continue to live, adapting to its changing challenges.
And now, in terms of the spread of the new coronavirus infection, becomes crucial property of “beskonechnosti” deg, the possibility of realization of the active electoral right without the need for physical contact between the participants of the electoral process.
the laws that give us the opportunity to work intensively in this direction, given the current nature of public and political life, and the prospects of tomorrow.
what category of voters is primarily aimed remote voting? What is the convenience for commissions?
Ella Pamfilova: This technology creates the opportunity for a wide range of voters registered on the portal of public services, to vote on their location outside the limits of their wards and constituencies, in a familiar and comfortable environment. For example, while at home, without leaving their apartments, remotely, without visiting the polling station. Of course, this is a convenient way for citizens in remote places. And, of course, for the disabled and voters with disabilities in health is a way to vote without assistance.
Thus will be able to involve in the electoral process more of the votes cast. Commissions will increase the speed and accuracy of processing election documents, counting of votes and summarizing the voting results, the announcement of election results. Finally, the electronic format will eventually lower the total costs of organizing and holding elections.
as far As the electoral system of Russia are ready to use such a model? What remains to be done?
Ella Pamfilova: First, it is important to carefully consider all aspects of the DAG and to estimate the possibility of its wide ��of rimanenza across the country in the near future. For this we need to fulfill a number of conditions.
first, there needs to be a consensus of key participants in the electoral process on the basis of broad and open discussion. The proposed technology must win public trust and the support of the main political forces.
second, to perform complex research and engineering tasks aimed at the resolution of contradictions, often mutually exclusive issues. For example – to ensure reliable identification of the voter on the one hand, and the secret ballot and the anonymity of participation on the other.
and, perhaps most importantly, to protect the system from any external interference and premature acquaintance with the voting results. But at the same time members of election commissions at each stage should be able to track and monitor all procedures.
moreover, we need to establish open, clear, transparent and credible process of public-political control and surveillance, while ensuring full security and confidentiality of the data.
So the technology works everywhere, at the Federal level will need to create a powerful network and computing infrastructure that will be able to work under high load: process for the treatment of millions of citizens and to survive under the pressure of massive hacker attacks.
In September will be held on the Single voting day. How widely you plan to use remote voting?
Ella Pamfilova: We focus on gradualism and consistency of technology implementation. The first will be pilot projects in the regions with a gradual increase in the number of participants of voting, the coverage area, the level of elections and the impact on their results.
the determination of the conditions of application of electronic voting and the establishment of key parameters of pilot projects and assessment of their results should take place with the involvement of the main political forces involved in the respective campaigns.
Under these rules of a new technology should be understandable and familiar part of the electoral process for major participants, reliable, affordable and convenient option for voters.
In the next elections in a Single day of voting, we intend to break is only in one or two regions the first pilot projects based on research work commissioned by the CEC. Of course, subject to the consent and willingness to experiment on the part of a region.
Will there be a remote format on the national ballot for amendments to the Constitution?
Ella Pamfilova: with regard to about��rossiiskogo vote regarding approval of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, remote voting across the country would not apply. We can talk until more than three-four regions, while only based on previously applied the “Moscow” technology. This initiative must show the region, “protecting” the CEC their willingness and ability to fulfill all requirements.
In this case, the task is facilitated by the absence in the conventional sense of the competitive struggle of political candidates. This somewhat reduces the “entry threshold” for the application of new technologies, and allows you to focus on more soft requirements to the implementation of distance voting.
You will consider the epidemiological situation in making decisions about remote voting on the Constitution?
Ella Pamfilova: of Course. We will proceed from a combination of several factors: the risks of complications of the sanitary-epidemiological situation, the technological readiness of the region and attitude of the inhabitants of this region to participate in distance voting.
And most important, every voter should be given the right of choice how he intends to vote. The choice of the form of voting and participation is entirely voluntary right of every citizen.
Now are called different dates of the nationwide vote, including the end of June. How do you assess the preparedness of the electoral system?
Ella Pamfilova: I am not going to discuss the possible date on which the President may appoint the vote. Sure he will be determine based on how the situation will develop with the coronavirus. We assume that the President will do about a month before election day.
If in stock we will month, based on our “hurt” – we are not sitting idly by, as I was able to act in accordance with the presidential decree, which he laid on the CEC authority on the preparation of the organization of the all – Russian voting- we can do it.
All the preparations that are not tied to a specific date, we are gradually implemented. In addition, we signed an agreement with Rospotrebnadzor on recommendations for compliance with sanitary-epidemiological norms have developed these recommendations to our colleagues in the regions. Will be determined once the date for the vote, I’m sure, to him we will be prepared as required to do so.
