MOSCOW, August 15 /TASS/. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission will not send long-term observers to Crimea for the September 18 elections to the Russian State Duma, OSCE /ODIHR EOM Chief Jan Petersen told TASS.
"The OSCE/ODIHR monitoring mission will start deploying long-term observers - 2 (in each region - TASS) throughout the country," Petersen said.
He added the OSCE/ODIHR had a commitment to assist all the 57 OSCE member states and should take into consideration the OSCE structure based on consensus.
The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Jan Petersen, consists of 13 international experts based in Moscow. In addition, some 60 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 17 August 2016.
The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the State Duma elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.
"OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission will not deploy long-term observers in Crimea," Ambassador Petersen said.