OSCE/ODIHR opens Election Observation Mission in Russian Federation
German MP Rita Süssmuth will head the OSCE observation mission to Russian State Duma elections on 7 December 2003. (OSCE) Photo details
MOSCOW, 3 November 2003 - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened its Election Observation Mission to monitor the election to the State Duma of the Russian Federation scheduled for 7 December.
The Mission begins with the long-term deployment of 57 international election experts from 16 OSCE participating States who will be based at Mission headquarters in Moscow and in regions throughout the country.
"This is an opportunity to test public confidence in democratic institutions in the Russian Federation," said Rita Süssmuth, Head of the Observation Mission.
"All actors - government authorities, political parties, civil society, the media, and voters - have the responsibility to ensure that this election meets democratic standards."
The Mission will assess the electoral process by reference to national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by OSCE participating States. Observers will monitor all aspects of the election, including the campaign, media coverage, administrative preparations, and the adjudication of complaints and appeals.
The ODIHR intends to deploy 400 short-term observers throughout the country shortly before election day, who, together with parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, will monitor voting, counting of ballots and vote tabulation. On the day after the election, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released approximately one month after the completion of the electoral process.
The Mission begins with the long-term deployment of 57 international election experts from 16 OSCE participating States who will be based at Mission headquarters in Moscow and in regions throughout the country.
"This is an opportunity to test public confidence in democratic institutions in the Russian Federation," said Rita Süssmuth, Head of the Observation Mission.
"All actors - government authorities, political parties, civil society, the media, and voters - have the responsibility to ensure that this election meets democratic standards."
The Mission will assess the electoral process by reference to national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by OSCE participating States. Observers will monitor all aspects of the election, including the campaign, media coverage, administrative preparations, and the adjudication of complaints and appeals.
The ODIHR intends to deploy 400 short-term observers throughout the country shortly before election day, who, together with parliamentarians from the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe, will monitor voting, counting of ballots and vote tabulation. On the day after the election, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released approximately one month after the completion of the electoral process.