Estonian OSCE PA delegation member Marrandi to observe Russian elections
Member of the Estonian delegation to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and SDE MP Jaanus Marrandi will serve as an international election observer at the presidential elections in Russia on Sunday.
"Election monitoring is one of the main ways members of parliaments can use to share their experience and knowledge to support a country's democratic developments," Marrandi said according to a Riigikogu press release. "I look forward to going to Russia so that I can contribute as an observer and follow the development of domestic democratic processes in Russia."
According to Marrandi, members of parliaments will observe whether Sunday's elections are fair and transparent, as well as whether they meet the requirements for free elections as set out in the Copenhagen Document of 1990.
Marrandi will be working in the Moscow area on a team alongside Norwegian parliament members. Before the observers are divided into teams of two or three members each, they will first attend thorough briefings as well as meetings with political candidates, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international experts.
The OSCE PA has observed ten elections in Russia since 1993. On Sunday, a total of 90 OSCE PA observers from 30 countries will be present for the March 18 presidential elections.
Editor: Aili Vahtla
