IAPEE🌐

🗳 IAPEE Observation Mission: First Day in the Field

The first day of voting in Russia’s State Duma elections marked the start of IAPEE’s largest observation mission since the Association was established. 48 international observers from 32 countries are working across 16 regions of Russia, with IAPEE teams deployed across the country’s major macroregions. The mission will continue throughout the three day voting period from September 18 to 20.

From the very first day, the focus has been on direct observation at polling stations and election commissions. IAPEE experts are examining electoral procedures in practice, engaging with different participants in the electoral process, meeting representatives of political parties and civil society, and taking a closer look at the organization of electronic voting.

A mission of this scale requires serious preparation before observers arrive at polling stations. Ahead of deployment, all IAPEE observers completed dedicated training covering Russian electoral legislation, voting procedures, the responsibilities of election participants and the practical work of polling stations.

The Association does not approach elections through a single universal template. Its methodology takes into account the legal framework, political culture and national context of the country where observation is conducted. This allows observers to assess the electoral process in its own institutional and political environment rather than through a standardized model detached from national specifics.

The first day is complete, but the mission is only beginning. Over the coming days, IAPEE observers will continue their work across Russia, building a comprehensive picture of the electoral process directly from the field.

🌍 IAPEE Welcomes 14 New Members from 14 Countries

On September 15, members of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise (IAPEE) came together once again at the International Festival of Youth. Experts, researchers, and public figures from different countries met to discuss political systems, elections and international observation.

For us, it is especially important that the Association continues to develop as a professional international platform where representatives of different political and expert traditions can exchange experience, discuss current developments and contribute to new approaches in political and electoral expertise.

The key event was a presentation of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise. Vito Grittani, Chair of IAPEE, diplomat,and founder of the International Diplomatic Observatory, spoke about the Association’s principles, activities and future plans.

Vito Grittani:
“Our goal is to create a professional platform where experts from different countries can exchange experience, discuss observation methodologies, and jointly develop new approaches. IAPEE is built on cooperation, respect for national specificities, and professional dialogue.”

🤝 The meeting concluded with a ceremony welcoming new members to IAPEE. Representatives of 15 countries joined the Association, bringing new professional and regional perspectives to its international community.

🌏 The ceremony was led by Areg Agasaryan, Head of our Center and Member of the IAPEE Governing Council.

Areg Agasaryan:

“IAPEE is developing into an international professional community capable of preparing a new generation of experts. We want membership in the Association to mean active participation in missions, research, expert discussions, and professional cooperation.”

For the Association, expanding its membership means bringing together specialists with different professional backgrounds and experience, strengthening international dialogue, and developing a network of experts ready to contribute to political and electoral expertise.

✨ IAPEE continues to grow — and so does the international community united by professional dialogue on elections and political processes. 🌐

🗳 Voting in the State Duma Elections Begins Tomorrow

Tomorrow, September 18, three-day voting begins in the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, IX convocation. Voting will continue through September 20. A total of 450 deputies will be elected: 225 in single-member constituencies and 225 through the federal electoral district.

As part of the mission of the International Association of Political and Electoral Expertise (IAPEE), 48 international observers from 32 countries will monitor the elections at the invitation of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

During the voting period, observers will work in regions across Russia, visit polling stations, examine how voting is organized, and assess the implementation of electoral procedures in practice.

For IAPEE, this mission continues the Association’s work to strengthen professional international dialogue in the field of elections and election observation. In 2026, the Association has already taken part in observation missions in Latin America, while the Russian electoral campaign will bring together experts from an even broader range of countries and professional backgrounds.

Key Events of the Past Week (August 31 — September 6)

🇰🇬The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its 26th summit in Bishkek, bringing together the leaders of its member states to discuss regional security, economic cooperation, and the international agenda. The summit also marked the SCO’s 25th anniversary.

🇨🇳🇰🇬Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Kyrgyzstan, where China and Kyrgyzstan signed a Treaty on Permanent Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation.

🇩🇪Voters in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt went to the polls to elect a new state parliament. The election was closely watched as the far-right AfD sought to win a state government for the first time.

🇷🇺🇺🇸U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss possible steps towards ending the conflict in Ukraine.

🇺🇸The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors met in Asheville, the United States. The meeting focused on global economic imbalances, trade, financial stability, and international economic cooperation.

🇵🇼The leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum met in Palau to discuss regional security, climate change, economic challenges, and the growing geopolitical competition in the Pacific.

Key Events of the Past Week (August 24 — August 30)

🇷🇺Early voting in Russia's State Duma elections began in remote and hard-to-reach areas. IAPEE is preparing an international observation mission for the upcoming elections.

🇮🇸Iceland held a referendum on whether to resume negotiations on joining the European Union. The proposal was rejected by 52.8% of voters, while 47.2% voted in favour.

🇳🇪The first parliamentary session of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was held in Niger.

🇷🇺🇮🇳Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss bilateral relations and key international issues.

🇺🇸🇻🇪U.S. President Donald Trump announced what he called “the largest oil deal in world history” with Venezuela, giving U.S. companies majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves.

🇸🇪Early voting opened in Sweden ahead of the parliamentary elections.

Today, we are launching a new interview series introducing the experts of IAPEE.

The guest of our first interview is Assem Chaya, IAPEE Expert and Executive Director of the NGO “Democracy for Sustainable Peace” from Lebanon🇱🇧

With more than 23 years of experience in electoral governance, civic engagement, electoral law, and national and international election observation, Assem Chaya shares insights into his professional and academic journey, as well as his work with young election observers and efforts to strengthen their professional skills.

Read the full interview: https://telegra.ph/Interview-with-IAPEE-expert-Assem-Chaya-08-26