MOSCOW, November 16 (RAPSI) - Human rights campaigners backed a legislative initiative allowing public members to act as observers in the election of Russia’s President, the press service of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights told RAPSI on Thursday.

Amendments have been proposed to the federal law on electing the president of the Russian Federation.

According to human rights activists, the initiative is directed to enhance voting publicity and openness. About 100 organizations had already expressed their readiness to cooperate with public control institutions. Observers’ training will be conducted in partnership with the Central Electoral Commission, the Council’s statement reads.

The bill on poll watchers is aimed to confer the right of Russia’s Public Chamber and regional public chambers to designate observers in election commissions. The bill passed its first reading in the State Duma on Wednesday.