Parliamentary Elections, 18 September 2016

Following an official invitation from the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the OSCE, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 18 September State Duma elections.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Jan Petersen, consists of 13 international experts based in Moscow. In addition, some 60 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 17 August 2016.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the State Duma elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Short-Term observers

The OSCE/ODIHR requests participating States to second four hundred (400) short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet and register on the STO database.

Election day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 420 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 18 September elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its parliamentary partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is planning to deploy observer delegation for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed eight elections since 1996, most recently the 2012 presidential elections.