For the first time in 20 years, the U.S. has declined to invite OSCE observers to the elections

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has decided not to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to monitor the midterm elections, ending a practice that Washington had consistently followed since 2002.

White House spokesperson Lauren Biss explained Washington’s position by stating that U.S. elections should be conducted, carried out, and observed directly by U.S. citizens, noting the country’s contribution to the advancement of democracy. In contrast, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly called this decision regrettable, while Democratic Senator Jean Shaheen emphasized that the refusal of international observation contradicts the principles of transparency and democracy.

Source: The Hill.

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