WARSAW, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's top elections watchdog said Thursday it was still awaiting an invitation to monitor Russia's December parliamentary polls and that even if it gets the go ahead the delay could hamper its work.

'We haven't gotten any invite yet. We've received assurances from Russian representatives that an invitation will be forthcoming, but we haven't had one,' said Urdur Gunnarsdottir, spokeswoman for the elections division of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

MOSCOW, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Russia will allow international observers to monitor its parliamentary election on December 2, the Central Electoral Commission said Wednesday.

Commission chief Vladimir Churov made the announcement in a meeting with ambassadors from European Union countries on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of allowing observers, a commission statement said.

'In Russia, transparency in elections is considered very important,' said Churov.

FREETOWN, Aug 12, 2007 (AFP) - Sierra Leone's landmark presidential and legislative elections this weekend were free and respected international norms, Commonwealth and local observers said Sunday.

'We are inclined to believe that the conditions were such as to enable the people of Sierra Leone to express their will freely and in accordance with internationally accepted standards,' said Kenny Anthony, the former prime minister of St Lucia, who is heading the Commonwealth observers.