MOSCOW, September 15 (HS/RIA Novosti) - About 500 foreign experts invited by the Civic Chamber of Russia have expressed their willingness to participate in monitoring during the upcoming State Duma elections, Alexei Peskov, executive director of the Independent Public Monitoring association and co-chair of the Coordination Council for Public Oversight of Voting under the Civic Chamber, told RIA Novosti.

Based on the data we have at the moment, approximately 500 foreign experts invited by the Civic Chamber have expressed their desire, willingness, and intention to participate in election monitoring on voting days, Peskov said.

A significant number of foreign experts have already participated in monitoring elections in Russia, the official added. Peskov expressed hope that, while working during the upcoming elections, both international experts and international observers will adhere to the principles of professional observation, comply with Russian law, and refrain from interfering with electoral sovereignty.

They include professional journalists, lawyers, and faculty members from various institutes and universities, Peskov said.

The invited experts will be provided with the necessary training materials and briefed in advance on Russian legislation, the requirements for the electoral process, and the legal status of international observers, the official said.

Elections for the ninth State Duma will be held from September 18–20. Russian President Vladimir Putin has called the upcoming elections a very important domestic political event in the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar