Russia

Russia is seeking “unprecedented” curbs on monitors observing its parliamentary polls, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) says. It wants limits on the size of the OSCE delegation at the Dec. 2 poll, and consultation on its make-up. “This is not business as usual,” an OSCE spokeswoman said, adding that such conditions could seriously limit the chance for “meaningful observation.” With 56 member states coming from Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, the OSCE international security body often sends monitors to elections. (BBC)