Golos, Russia's Leading Election Monitor, Closes After 25 Years
Golos, Russia's leading independent election monitoring organisation, is closing down after 25 years. The move comes following the conviction of its Co-Chair Grigory Melkonyants for promoting free elections, now deemed a criminal offence in Russia. Golos' disappearance leaves a significant void in the country's electoral landscape.
Golos was founded in 1993 to defend voter rights and promote fair elections. Over the years, it trained thousands of election observers and produced educational materials to teach people how to document voting irregularities. The organisation's educational events served as hubs for civic participation and engagement in various regions.
Golos' work was instrumental in providing an independent narrative on elections in Russia. It published monitoring results, assessed election legitimacy, and highlighted systemic issues. The organisation's Election Violation Map, a civic platform collecting reports from citizens, will also cease to exist with Golos' closure.
Grigory Melkonyants, Golos' Co-Chair, was found guilty of organising activities of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO), labelled 'undesirable' in Russia. His sentence sends a clear message that promoting free elections now carries severe consequences. It remains uncertain who will take over Golos' role, as no official statement or appointment has been made public.
Golos' closure leaves citizens powerless to defend their ballots in upcoming elections. The organisation's disappearance marks the end of the only independent, nationwide movement professionally monitoring elections in Russia. Its legacy serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing democracy and civil society in the country.
