Refusal of observers of the Bureau of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to the OSCE to be present in the elections to the State Duma will not affect the quality monitoring of the electoral process. This was told by the deputy director of the Department of Information and Press of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Oleg Gavrilov, RIA Novosti quotes him.
According to the diplomat, the consequence of such a decision will be difficult to dialogue between Russia and the OSCE. “Disappointed by this decision of the Bureau … All this is very much reminded … Logic in the spirit” either in our way, or in no way “,” Gavrilov believes.
He also suggested that the Bureau’s Quota will choose other independent monitoring structures, also received invitations from Moscow.
On August 3, the OSCE decided not to be present in the elections in Russia due to the requirements to reduce the number of observers: only 50 and 10 people may be allowed from the ODIHR and PA, respectively. Russian authorities explained that such a decision was taken as an epidemiological measure. Initially, the Bureau filed an application for 500 observers.
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.