MOSCOW, November 29 (Itar-Tass) —— About 650 international observers will monitor parliamentary elections in Russia on December 4, chairman of the Russian Central Election Commission Vladimir Churov said on Tuesday.
“Now it is obvious, that all 650 international observers will be granted accreditation,” Churov said at a video conference at the Russian Ministry of Communications. “This is a very small figure compared with 500,000 observers from parties.”
Churov reminded that the Russian legislation is among world’s rare ones that regulate the rights and liabilities of international observers.
“It is a must to observe their rights but we should not forget that international observers, along with domestic observers, have certain liabilities,” he stressed.
According to the chairman of the Russian Central Election Commission, observers are to have permits of local election commissions to make photo or video coverage of balloting at polling stations. In his words, more than once he saw international observers “rushing brassily to polling stations with cameras at the ready.” He noted that under the current rules, international observers are required to introduce themselves to the local election commission and show their accreditation cards.
He also expressed concern over reports about “two fake written rules of behavior for observers” and called to display due vigilance.
Russia will elect a new, sixth, State Duma, or lower house of the national parliament, on Sunday, December 4.