Russia slashes foreign observers for elections

[Flabbergasted]

Source: The Anatolian Times

Russia slashes foreign observers for elections
10-29-2007

Russia announced Monday it is slashing the number of foreign election observers for upcoming parliamentary polls in a move likely to fuel claims that the authorities will prevent a fair vote.

Vladimir Churov, head of the Central Election Commission, told journalists that between 300 and 400 observers would be allowed into Russia for the December 2 polls -- a quarter of the number who watched Russia's last legislative elections in 2003.

Churov said the invitations would be sent Tuesday.

He did not specify how many of the observers would be from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is the most authoritative election body in eastern Europe and has previously slammed Russia and other ex-Soviet countries for their conduct.

The ceiling of 400 observers suggested there would be a sharply reduced number of OSCE monitors, given that Churov said the total number would also include representatives from a string of other international bodies and countries.

snip

OSCE officials have already complained that they are not being given enough time to prepare a monitoring mission ahead of Russia's parliamentary election in which President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party is expected to win a crushing victory.





Read more: http://www.anatoliantimes.com/hbr2.asp?id=&s=int&a=071029194833.otni8qa7

[LSparkle]

1. One more nail in the coffin that was Russian "democracy"

We should have seen this coming ever since the Pretzeldent's "I looked into his eyes and saw his soul" speech.

[MarkR1717]

2. But surely Putin should remain......

....in power for as long as he wants. Isn't he worth 100 of the Nazi War Criminal $hrub? Also Castro, and now Chavez have shown that Perpetual Revolution with the same Government is the way to go. Please, everyone see reason and join me in the Workers Paradise, you have endured the hardship of life in the USA for too long.

[Deja Q]

3. I bet Putin, a man who poisons rather than slashes, will be a shoe-in...

:hide: