The official representative of the US State Department for Ned Price rated the OSCE refusal to observe the elections to the State Duma of Russia, stating that Washington regrets such a decision. His words lead RIA Novosti.
“US regrets that the restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities will prevent the Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE, as well as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, independently observe the elections,” he said.
Price stressed that the US authorities respect the Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) that due to the restrictive measures for COVID-19 in Russia, “deserving confidence and independent observation has become impossible.”
At the same time, the representative of the State Department assured that the international community will observe the election process, both before the elections and on the day of voting, in order to determine whether the conditions for the conduct of free and fair elections contribute. “Russia do not get away from international attention,” – warned price.
Previously, the OSCE stated that it took such a decision due to the requirements to limit the number of observers against the background of the epidemiological situation in the country. According to the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the International Affairs of Leonid Slutsky, the decision is sustained in the spirit of double standards, it can be considered politicized.
Elections within a single voting day will be held from September 17 to September 19. Simultaneously with the elections in the State Duma, the VIII convocation will take place direct elections of the heads of nine subjects of Russia and 39 regional parliaments.