MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. The Russian presidential election was transparent and democratic, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretary General Zhang Ming said.

"The mission recognizes the election as transparent, credible and democratic. The mission is grateful to the Russian Foreign Ministry and the Central Election Commission for the necessary assistance and conditions created for its work during the presidential election," the head of the SCO observer mission said at a meeting on the results of foreign monitoring of the Russian presidential election. "The mission congratulates the Russian people on the successful conclusion of the presidential election," he pointed out.

According to the SCO chief, the election took place in a calm, friendly atmosphere with the observance of order. There was no external interference or tension, he added. "No complaints or remarks were reported at the polling stations where we were, nor were there any cases of security violations. The mission notes that the election was in accordance with Russian election legislation," Zhang Ming emphasized.