Certain aspects of the implementation of the passive electoral right of citizens of the Russian Federation when using a specialized software product

The legal framework and specific features of the application of the specialized software product developed by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Russia for preparing documents required to notify and register candidates (lists of candidates) in elections in the Russian Federation are examined. It is established that only ten constituent entities of the Russian Federation have provided for the use of this software product in regional elections. The most consistent approach to legislative regulation of this possibility has been identified in Krasnodar Krai, Bryansk Oblast, and Kemerovo Oblast. It is proposed to amend the Federal Law “On the Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right to Participate in a Referendum of Citizens of the Russian Federation” by mandating the use of this software in regional elections not only for generating a candidate’s consent to run for office but also for other documents submitted to election commissions (e. g., information on the amount and sources of income, property owned by the candidate, real estate located outside the Russian Federation belonging to the candidate, their spouse, or minor children, as well as their expenses, and lists of candidates for single-member and/or multi-member electoral districts). For municipal elections, the use of this software should remain a recommended practice. It is also recommended to amend Resolution No. 24 of June 27, 2023, issued by the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, to clarify for courts the specifics of qualifying violations in the preparation of electoral documents that may arise when using this software.