Penza, 24 August 2016. PenzaNews. International observers will monitor the elections of MPs to the State Duma of Russia in the Penza region, the chairman of the election commission of the region Nikolay Taktarov told PenzaNews on Wednesday, August 24.

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According to him, there already arrived the representatives of the Bureau for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of OSCE Anna Galan from Ukraine and Ingmar Goesta Hermansson from Finland, who will monitor election preparations and observance of the electoral legislation.

“They are called “long-term observers.” They will be in the Penza region till the election day,” the agency interlocutor nexplained noting that these observers will also work in Mordovia.

Nikolay Taktarov drew attention to the fact that the work of the OSCE representatives is regulated very strictly.

“We have no right to instructthenm in any way indicating visiting places, some specific districts. They are not required to report to us on their travels, routes or who they meet,” he said.

Nikolay Taktarov added that also the so-called “short-term observers” will come to.the Penza region.

“They come for a day or two before the day of voting, present during the voting and counting of votes, declaration of results and then leave the region and the country,” the chairman of the election committee of the Penza region explained, adding that at present he has not information as to their presence in the region.

Answering the question of PenzaNews concerning the way international observers act in the case of non-compliance in the elections, Nikolay Taktarov said it depends on the nature of the violations.