WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 6 August 2026 – The decision of the Russian Federation not to invite OSCE observers to the forthcoming elections to the State Duma is of serious concern, and further demonstrates a pattern of disregard for commitments undertaken by all OSCE participating States, leaders of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) said today.
The decision not to invite OSCE observers is not in line with the commitments undertaken by all OSCE participating States under the 1990 Copenhagen Document, which recognizes that the presence of international observers can enhance the electoral process, and commits participating States to invite observers from other participating States and from appropriate private institutions and organizations.
“The decision not to extend an invitation to observe the upcoming State Duma Elections is deeply regrettable, particularly as it continues a pattern of not implementing the commitments that every OSCE participating State has undertaken towards its own citizens and the international community,” said ODIHR Director Maria Telalian. “The absence of independent and impartial international election observation by the OSCE deprives voters, electoral stakeholders and the wider international community, of an objective assessment of the electoral process, reducing transparency and public confidence.”
Over recent weeks, ODIHR sought to engage the Russian authorities through its standard pre-election dialogue, including with a view to agreeing on the deployment of a Needs Assessment Mission in accordance with its established methodology. These efforts did not receive a substantive response from the Russian authorities. The Russian Federation also did not invite OSCE observers for the 2024 presidential election. In addition, the restrictive conditions imposed in 2021 prevented OSCE from deploying an observation mission for the State Duma elections. As a result, this will be the third consecutive nationwide electoral process in the Russian Federation that OSCE has been unable to observe. Despite this negative pattern, ODIHR and OSCE PA remain committed to continue offering their assistance to the Russian authorities on election-related matters.
“The Russian Federation’s refusal to invite an OSCE election observation mission represents a serious breach of the commitments it has undertaken as an OSCE participating State,” said OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons. “This persistent rejection of independent scrutiny follows a deeply worrying pattern of disregard for the principles of transparency, democratic accountability, and the rule of law. Election observation is not optional, it is a cornerstone of the OSCE’s comprehensive security framework and a tangible demonstration of a State’s commitment to free and fair elections.”
The absence of international election observation is of particular concern in light of the broader democratic and human rights situation in the Russian Federation. Since the last parliamentary elections, legislative amendments and their implementation have imposed additional restrictions on political participation, including by preventing individuals designated as “foreign agents” from standing for election, further limiting campaign financing, and restricting the ability of candidates and political parties to appoint polling station representatives. These developments add to longstanding restrictions on the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, expression and the media, as well as the prosecution and intimidation of political opponents, independent journalists, civil society representatives and other government critics.
Transparency and independent public oversight of the electoral process have also been further weakened. Independent citizen election observation has been severely curtailed following sustained pressure against the citizen watchdog Golos movement, which ultimately led to its dissolution. Legislative amendments have further reduced opportunities for effective scrutiny of election day procedures.
ODIHR and the OSCE PA once again condemn the Russian Federation’s decision to organize voting in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The results of any such “elections” organized by the Russian Federation will have no validity under international law. Such actions are contrary to international law, and violate Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.
While ODIHR will not be able to observe the forthcoming presidential election, the Office continues to monitor the unfolding events in the Russian Federation across all areas covered by its mandate.
For information on the OSCE PA’s previous election observation work in the Russian Federation, please click here.
