Politics Voice of Election Hotline 13 September 2023 For the first time in a long while, I was unable to observe the Russian elections firsthand. I am currently in Sakartvelo, and until Putin's regime falls, it seems I won't be returning to my homeland. Nevertheless, even though I couldn't be physically present at the elections, I managed to participate in them. This year, for the first time, I volunteered at the election observers' support hotline. For security reasons, I cannot share the internal workings of the hotline, such as the number of participants, the specifics of an operator's duties, or the details of calls received. However, I can say that it was an immensely rewarding and enlightening experience. It allowed me to assist numerous individuals, including voters and observers, and deepen my understanding of electoral law. I was pleasantly surprised when an voter, well-versed in electoral law, contacted the hotline to report a violation at his polling station. I guided him on how to draft and submit a complaint to the local election commission. He reached out to me several times for clarification on the complaint submission process, and, in the end, he successfully reported the election violation. I also fielded calls from observers asking about the mechanics of the remote e-voting system. This platform allows voters to cast their votes remotely without visiting their polling stations. Unfortunately, this system has some serious flaws that, I believe, enable the Russian government to tamper with the voting outcomes. During these elections, numerous reports emerged of voters being pressured to engage in e-voting. Beyond my hotline duties, I also had the honor of contacting past election observers to invite them to monitor the current elections. While I was able to recruit only a handful of individuals, I am thrilled to have had this chance to support the strengthening of Russia's civil society. I am hopeful that once the political situation stabilizes, I'll have another opportunity to participate in the elections as an independent observer. Contrary to what one might expect, working as a hotline operator was not stressful. In fact, after my shift, I felt invigorated and full of life. I cherish interacting with people and, more significantly, value being a part of a team that aids in protecting the rights and freedoms of my fellow citizens. Until I can return to Russia, I intend to continue serving in future elections as a hotline operator. The experience was truly fulfilling. Copyright (c) 2023 contact@renecoignard.com Powered by Weblog v1.17.16