Russia invites int'l observers to parliamentary elections

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 25, 2003

Russia invites int'l observers to parliamentary elections

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Russia has sent official invitations to relevant international organizations, hoping to host some 1,000 observers during the parliamentary elections set for December this year, Interfax reported Wednesday.

The first group of observers, from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, is expected to arrive in Russia in two weeks to assess the situation and draw up a work plan for the election campaign of the State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, said Alexander Veshnyakov, chairman of the Election Commission.

"We expect that a total of 1,000 foreign observers will work in Russia during the Duma election campaign, just as during the preceding election of the lower house," Veshnyakov said Wednesday at a press conference here.

"In any case, it is up to the international organizations to decide on their participation as observers," the head of the commission was quoted as saying.

Forty-four political parties have registered to run for the quadrennial Duma elections scheduled for Dec. 7.

With a number of key parties finishing selecting their candidates recently, Russia's election season, which was kicked off on Sept. 3, has entered a period that envisions heated party rivalries.

Half of the 450 seats in the lower house will be elected in a nationwide ballot, leaving the other half to be filled by the winners of local district races.

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