MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. Russian election commissions worked openly and transparently during the voting in the country’s presidential election, said by Zhang Ming, secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, who led an observer mission dispatched by the group.
"According to the members of the observer mission, the work of election commissions on voting days was characterized by transparency and openness, as well as attentive and professional communication <...> with voters and other participants in the electoral process," he said at a news conference at the Russia Central Election Commission.
The SCO observer mission also noted the active participation of voters and professionalism in the organization of elections, according to the official.
"The mission notes the active participation of voters in voting and the professional level of training of local election officials," Zhang Ming said. "Members of the election commission provided the necessary conditions for the implementation of the voting procedure. When contacted, they gave comprehensive explanations on the arising issues."
Russia held a presidential election from March 15-17. With 99.79% of ballots counted, incumbent President Vladimir Putin is winning the election in the first round, collecting 87.3% of the votes. Communist Party candidate Nikolay Kharitonov came in second with 4.3%, New People Party’s Vladislav Davankov mustered 3.84%, and LDPR leader Leonid Slutsky 3.21%.