The diplomat congratulated Mr. Veshnyakov on last Sunday's successful presidential poll. He shares OSCE international observers' high opinion of its organizational aspect, reported the commission press service.
The commission has started preparations for federal election campaigns of 2007-08, upcoming regional elections, and measures to ensure suffrage, Alexander Veshnyakov said to the ambassador. He also spoke about his plans to further use computer vote scanning, which worked so well in the presidential poll of last Sunday.
Four Russian regions will shortly have gubernatorial runoffs after an initial tour, timed to the presidential election. The fact shows that Russian electoral arrangements are really democratic, with healthy competition, pointed out Alexander Vershbow.
An administrative influence on Russian elections is smaller than some people think. It has no decisive impact. When the power has shown its incompetence, no administrative pressure will keep it afloat. It is voters who have the final say, said Alexander Veshnyakov.
