SUBJECTS OF ELECTION OBSERVATION: ISSUES OF IMPROVING RUSSIAN ELECTORAL LEGISLATION

Election observation is an integral part of any election campaign, embodying the principle of transparency and openness of the organization and conduct of elections, refers to one of the topical issues of suffrage. The election legislation of the Russian Federation enshrines a fairly wide range of entities endowed with a monitoring function. In fact, control over the implementation of various election actions. However, their status differs in terms of authority and terms of observation. The purpose of article is to consider on the basis of the analysis of the electoral legislation and electoral practice the composition and powers of the entities which is entitled to monitor the elections and make suggestions for improving the electoral legislation of the Russian Federation in this area. The methodological basis: the general scientific dialectic method of cognition of social and legal phenomena and the particular scientific methods arising from it: formal legal analysis, observation, historical and legal, empirical, analytical methods that allowed using a systematic approach to the study of the problem under consideration. The composition of the subjects that monitors the elections under the current election legislation of the Russian Federation is considered. Three categories of subjects of observation are distinguished: 1) from the state; 2) from candidates, electoral associations (political parties); 3) from the public, including international (foreign) public. The conducted research allowed us to characterize the subject composition of the commissioners to monitor the elections, identify gaps and contradictions in the election legislation of the Russian Federation in regulating the legal status of these individuals, and make suggestions that help improve the rules of the electoral law. An analysis of foreign practice allowed us to see the merits of the Russian electoral legislation on the issue under study and at the same time showed possible promising options for expanding the subject composition of the observation, including from the public.