OSCE ODIHR to meet with government officials, media workers, parties planning to go to parliamentary election in Russia - Petersen
MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) - The mission of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE ODIHR) to observe at Russia's upcoming parliamentary election started its work on Monday, Jan Petersen, head of the OSCE ODIHR mission, said.
"Our mission started today in Moscow. And already this morning we were kindly received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we also conducted our first meeting with the Central Election Commission," Petersen told a press conference at the central office of Interfax.
He went on to note that members of the mission are planning to hold a meeting with representatives of the Russian authorities at all levels, candidates from political parties, as well as with media workers and diplomats.
The mission of observers will make a special statement to air its preliminary conclusions the next day after the election, i.e., on September 19.
The mission's final report will be published some eight weeks after the completion of the electoral process, he added.
"It will include recommendations on how to improve the electoral process which will be presented to the authorities for consideration," Petersen said.