e-voting to be tested in Russia's 20 regions in October - Churov.

VIENNA, September 18 (Itar-Tass) -- Electronic voting technology will be tested in Russia's 20 territories during upcoming regional elections, Chairman of the Central Election Commission /CEC/ Vladimir Churov said on Friday. He takes part in the OSCE seminar on organisation of elections.

He spoke about "different forms of non-distanced electronic voting,
which will be used in various parts of Russia from Siberia to the European
part, from small settlements to big cities."
"Over the coming elections, we shall use over 3,000 sets of
equipment," he said. "For example, in Chelyabinsk /the Urals/ we shall use
100 new complexes to read the new generation ballots, and it will be our
first test."
Churov commented on the use of distanced voting by means of the
Internet or cell communication saying that the commission had prepared
addendums to the legislation and the future would depend on the deputies.
"From the technical point of view, everything is ready," he said. "We
have made tests over two years, where voters in various parts of the
country were offered to vote another time from their cell phones or via
the Internet."
"We did not see any differences in results," he continued. "We have
come across a difficulty which our elderly voters experienced with cell
phones, as the keys there were too small for them to use."
"Sure, this is something that can be handled, so the methods were
tested and proved to be reliable."
He is convinced cell operators will not interfere with the results.
"We have established very sufficient control over the server and the
software," he said.
Presently, Churov said, "distanced voting is supported by the
legislation only for ship crews and exclusively over the radio.


.Kabardino-Balkaria, Krasnoyarsk Territory sign cooperation agmt.

NALCHIK, September 18 (Itar-Tass) -- Leaders of Russia's
Kabardino-Balkaria and Krasnoyarsk Territory signed over the Sochi-2010
forum an agreement on cooperation between the regions.
Presidential envoy in the North Caucasus Alexander Khloponin witnessed
the ceremony as President of Kabardino-Balkaria Arsen Kanokov and the
Krasnoyarsk Territory Governor Lev Kuznetsov signed the agreement.
"The time of the agreement is five years, and the territories will
cooperate in industry, agriculture, construction, healthcare, tourism,
education, sciences, youth policies, physical culture and sports," head of
Kabardino-Balkaria's presidential press service Dzhamilya Khagarova said.
"Kabardino-Balkaria is the gem of the Caucasus, which is famous for
its nature and the people," Khloponin said. "Krasnoyarsk Siberians are
very tolerant, specific and courageous."
"I am happy that two regions which are dear to me have become closer
to each other."
Kuznetsov highlighted the fact that the agreement would make
cooperation mutually advantageous. He spoke about the importance of joint
programmes in education, agriculture and tourism.
"We know about the scenic views you have, but we would like people
living in your republic to see the beauty of the Sayans Mountains / a
range in southern Siberia/."
Kanokov specified that the promising investment projects unite the two
regions.
"The Krasnoyarsk Territory is a very advantageous market for our
products, and our only concern will be to build up supplies of fruit and
vegetables, canned fruit, mineral water, juices as well as that of
machinery and diamond tools," he said.
The Krasnoyarsk Territory supplies to Kabardino-Balkaria wood, saw
timber and metal-roll.
"Our republic is looking for modern technologies, too," Kanokov said.

-0-kar