"The approach of the OSCE`s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to send observers to some member states and not to others at its own discretion is bewildering," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
When it comes to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, said the ministry, the OSCE sends full-format monitoring missions of hundreds of observers to monitor all stages of the election; as to the so-called countries with "developed democratic systems," the OSCE either limits its teams or conducts no monitoring.
"Regrettably, this case is yet another example of double standards," the ministry added.
Meanwhile, the ministry said Paris had formally invited the ODIHR to monitor its election campaign scheduled on April 22.
In Russia`s March 4 presidential election, incumbent Prime Minister Vladimir Putin scored a landslide victory with about 64 percent of the votes.
After voting, observers from the CIS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization praised the election for being transparent, legitimate and democratic.
However, observers from the OSCE accused the election of being unfair and murky.
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
