MOSCOW, October 24 (Itar-Tass) — Deputy chairman of the committee on security and combating corruption under the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament Andrei Lugovoi /Liberal Democratic Party/ asked the Investigation Committee /SK/ to look into a possible breach of the law on personal data during the election to the so-called Coordination Council of the Opposition.
The inquiry forwarded to SK chief Alexander Bastrykin, refers to a complaint from a person who had found "gross violations" of the law on personal data by the election organizers. Specifically, the personal data processing operator "did not ask for written confirmation or alternative electronic signature" regarding political views, while the information to which the personal data giver is entitled, is missing on the website of the Central Election Committee.
The data collecting operator is not a legal entity; it has not issued any documents to specify its policy in personal data processing, and took no technical measures to ensure the safety of personal data, according to the complaint.
Under the government-set requirements, the election organizers "should have installed equipment and set up a system to obtain the K-1 license to process personal data of the first level of protection.
In this connection, Lugovoi asked the SK director to check the actions by the group of persons who call themselves the Central Election committee for signs of crimes covered by Article 137 of Russia’s penal code /invasion of privacy/ and gross violation of the law on personal data.
The election to the so-called Coordination Council of Russian Opposition ended on Monday evening. Chairman of the Central Election Committee Leonid Volkov told Itar-Tass 81,801 persons had taken part in the voting. Two hundred and nine candidates ran for 45 seats in this body.
Among those elected on the Council were blogger Alexei Navalny, writer Dmitry Bykov, anchor Ksenia Sobchak, one of the Solidarity movement leaders Ilya Yashin, environmentalist Yevgeniya Chirikova, Left Front coordinator Sergei Udaltsov who is on recognizance in the criminal case over preparations for mass disturbances, former lawmaker Gennady Gudkov, and his son, incumbent lawmaker Dmitry Gudkov.
The list includes a number of persons arrested or wanted on suspicious of involvement in various crimes, including Leonid Razvozzhayev, arrested on suspicion of preparing riots.
The election was held at the initiative of part of the Organizing Committee of protests in Bolotnaya Square and Sakharov Prospect. The Council should take over its functions.
Earlier, law-enforcement bodies opened a criminal case at the complaints of several citizens who had accused the election organizers of stealing funds. The candidates to the Council had to make a 10,000-rouble contribution, but they were denied registration, while the money was never returned.
According to Leonid Volkov, these statements were written by followers of MMM pyramid founder Sergei Mavrodi. The votes by the MMM voters were annulled by the Central Election Committee.
The voting was organized on the Internet. Also, voting stations were opened at 35 Russian regions. Seven voting stations functioned abroad, the election organizers claimed.