Russia’s electoral body sees ‘violations’ by PACE mission

Russia’s Central Electoral Commission believes a PACE fact-finding mission in Russia ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections contravenes national legislation, CEC head Vladimir Churov said on Tuesday. “We are looking into their activity,” he said. “There are indications that Russian Federation laws may have been violated.” The CEC has sent letters of complaint to the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Foreign Ministry, he added. Churov did not elaborate. Over 50 OSCE monitors have so far been accredited with the CEC. A total of 200 are expected to start working on December 1, Churov said. A CIS mission to the polls will include 160 observers.