DONETSK, November 11. /TASS/. International observers note the transparency of the organization of elections in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and the lack of obstacles for their work.

"We, international observers, have been granted absolute freedom of movement, communication with people and journalists. There were no restrictions for us," the Donetsk News Agency quoted Artur Leier, an assistant to a member of the Hamburg parliament, as saying.

"People living in the republic [DPR] are deciding about their future by democratic means, not through force," said Igor Chochiyev, a lawmaker from South Ossetia.

A total of 48 international observers from 14 countries are monitoring elections in the DPR.

Contenders for the post of the republic’s head are Denis Pushilin, Elena Shishkina, Roman Khramenkov, Vladimir Medvedev and Roman Yevstifeyev. Two public movements - the Donetsk Republic and Free Donbass - will vie for seats in the republic’s People’s Council, or legislatures.