The spacious room has 40 workstations equipped with modern computers. Broadcasts from eight areas are broadcast simultaneously on a computer screen. The pride of the Public Services Center is the video wall, where you can see in real time everything that happens in at least 50 polling stations. The “digital” approach to the organization of the electoral process is the merit of the regional Ministry of Digital Development and Communications and the Rostelecom company.
In total, according to Olga Blago, chairwoman of the Election Commission of the Novosibirsk region, the region’s video surveillance systems are installed in 972 of the largest polling stations (each with two video cameras), covering 83 percent percent of voters. Video recording equipment has been installed at other polling stations that serve small numbers of voters.
– The public service center where we are located is a multifunctional platform where video surveillance of the polling stations is carried out and work areas are equipped for remote electronic voting (DEV) observers. Briefings with public opinion leaders and with the participation of media representatives are also regularly held here,” said Roman Bubenov, head of the central public surveillance in the Novosibirsk region, member of the regional Public Chamber.
Among the observers are representatives of the regional Public Chamber, political parties and international observers. Anyone can become an observer, but this must be announced in advance and given appropriate training.
The chairman of the commission on social policy, health, labor relations and SVO of the Public Chamber of the Novosibirsk Region, Igor Gall-Savalsky, has no doubt that the entire system of public surveillance is designed to maximally protect rights of the main ones. participant in the process: the voter. And in this he helps observers the “Gold Standard”, the updated version of which was presented by the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation at the end of February this year.
– Each operator at their workplace must complete the “Gold Standard” within three days of the vote. The answers are simple: “yes” and “no.” For example, if the polling station opened on time, if the voter was asked to sit while filling out the documents. If not, find a chair and make it comfortable for the person who comes to the place. Or the campaign for a candidate suddenly appeared at the electoral college; it is urgently necessary to remove it. Additionally, the observer should pay attention to things like whether the ballot boxes have been checked, whether ballot boxes and portable ballot boxes are sealed, says Igor Gall-Savalsky. – We have assumed the responsibility of providing the most comfortable and legal support to the electoral process in the interests of voters. The “gold standard” will help draw a conclusion about the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process.
The expert claims that the work at the public service center is interesting and exciting and it would be good if observers talked about it on social networks. Most observers work for free from eight in the morning until eight in the afternoon, and on the last day of voting they must remain until the end of the vote count.
– There are no trifles in the work of observers. If we receive complaints about violations or notice them via video link, observers know how to act. In the Public Service Center there are mobile groups that can go to the scene and deal with the situation, you can rewind the video and see what happened in a certain period of time, says Roman Bubenov.
The Novosibirsk Public Service Center has multichannel communication. By calling 8-800-550-38-93, any voter can file a complaint about violations. Public Chamber representatives can immediately check CCTV cameras and comment on a particular situation.
