Since the end of July 2016, commissioners for human rights in a number of constituent entities of the Russian Federation with assistance of local election commissions open hotlines to protect the Russian citizens’ electoral rights. Such hotlines will help to ensure the transparency of election process and to respond efficiently to the violations.

The hotlines have already been launched in Yaroslavl, Kaluga, Vladimir, and Oryol regions and in the Republic of Buryatia. Several regions prepare to open such lines. For instance, the hotline in Astrakhan Region will be launched on 12 September.

Usually, the citizens may petition about the violation of their rights only during the working hours, while the Kaluga Region hotline works for 24 hours a day. “A prompt response is provided to all violations of electoral legislation,” the Department of the MIA of Russia in Kaluga Region underlined.

Adapted from the press services of the commissioners for human rights in constituent entities of the Russian Federation