SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming will travel to Moscow on March 14 to observe the Russian presidential election, Bakhtiyer Khakimov, the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on SCO affairs, said during a briefing.
"On March 14, the secretary-general will arrive in Moscow and immediately begin his work, including holding meetings and forming his team," Khakimov stated.
Regarding the SCO observer delegation at the elections, Khakimov highlighted that it will be very representative. "Traditionally, the SCO sends an observer mission, which has become a good practice. Member states are pleased to respond to the invitation to observe the elections. The SCO mission will not only include representatives of the SCO secretariat but also representatives of member states at various levels, including both legislative bodies and central election commissions or political structures," he explained.
Khakimov noted that the extensive program for the observers will involve visiting polling stations not only in Moscow but also in other regions, particularly in the Vladimir region. "Given that everyone is coming from their capitals, it's natural for them to get acquainted here and participate in the program agreed upon with the Central Election Commission and in accordance with the mission's wishes," he added. The special representative also encouraged the observers to take part in cultural events, such as the grand exhibition at VDNKh.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established on June 15, 2001, in Shanghai, initially comprising six countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined the organization in 2017. The Federation Council has scheduled the presidential elections for March 17, 2024, with voting lasting three days: March 15, 16, and 17. There are four candidates registered by the Central Election Commission for the position of the head of state: Leonid Slutsky, Nikolai Kharitonov, Vladislav Davankov, and Vladimir Putin.
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Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS