On 10 July 2018, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov had a meeting with Chair of Russia's Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova to discuss the development and improvement of the institute of international observers of elections and referenda within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
The officials exchanged views on possible ways to develop regular interaction between the SCO countries' election commissions.
"The SCO has become an influential organisation with a major role in the region and the rest of the world. We attach great importance to its further development and to the promotion of cooperation within the organisation," Ella Pamfilova pointed out.
"The SCO institute of election observers has been rapidly developing in the past few years, gaining experience and growing in demand. We believe that we should join forces to strengthen this system and to make use of the best international practices and knowledge in this sphere. The valuable experience of Russia's Central Election Commission would be very useful," Rashid Alimov said.
The meeting was held in a cordial and friendly manner.