OSCE/ODIHR final report on Russia’s presidential election recommends measures to promote fairness and equality in electoral process

The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Russia’s presidential election on 4 March 2012 concludes that the contest was clearly skewed in favour of one of the contestants and recommends measures to ensure a more balanced process.

The report says that all contestants were able to campaign unhindered and had access to media, but the then Prime Minister was given advantage in the coverage. State resources were also mobilized in his support.

The report offers a number of recommendations on promoting the fairness and equality of the electoral process. In particular, it recommends that existing legislative safeguards should be interpreted so as to prevent holders of public office from enjoying undue advantage over other electoral contestants.

The Central Election Commission and other supervisory bodies are also encouraged to ensure that all state-controlled media provide coverage of election campaigns in a neutral and equal manner.

There was a general lack of confidence in the independence of election officials at all levels, the report states. It recommends that additional and effective safeguards be introduced to ensure the impartiality and full independence from the authorities of election commissions, as required by law.

The report also notes that the presidential campaign was marked by a significant increase in civic engagement and recommends that the election legislation be reviewed to allow domestic observation by non-party organizations and groups in order to enhance the integrity of the process.