Article 33. Observers from political parties, citizensʼ self-governing bodies, other states and international organizations

Observers from political parties, citizensʼ self-governing bodies, as well as from other states and international organizations shall carry out their activities on the basis of mandates granted by respective commissions.

Interested organizations shall inform election commissions on their observers at least ten days before election.

Within five days after receipt of an application from an interested organization, election commission issues a mandate for an observer. Mandates for observers from other countries, international organizations are issued by the Central Election Commission.

Observers shall have the following rights:

to be present at meetings of election commissions;

to participate in meetings to nominate candidates, meetings of candidates and political parties (representatives) with voters;

to be present at the polling station, to observe the progress of the preparatory work, the placement of booths or rooms for secret voting and the sealing of ballot boxes, the registration of citizens, the issuance of ballots;

to be present at counting of votes and drafting the Protocol of the election commission;

to request and receive copies of documents related to election results approved by the relevant election commission;

to report their observations to the relevant election commission, if there is reason to believe that at the relevant polling station there have been violations of the requirements of the present Code.

Observers are prohibited from:

being present in a booth or room of a secret ballot when voter marks his/her ballot paper;

influencing citizens, distributing any agitation material or literature;

asking voters how they voted, or providing any assistance to voters in marking ballot paper;

interfering in the work of election commissions, including sealing of ballot boxes, their opening and counting of votes.

Observers must notify the precinct election commission at least three days before visiting polling stations formed in military units, places of detention and imprisonment.