The CEÑ had earlier invited Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR) observers to enter Russia from February 27-28. The ODHIR subsequently requested that it be allowed to enter the country earlier so as to more effectively monitor the election campaign. It had also requested an increase in the previous quota of 70 observers invited to the polls.
The ODHIR is the electoral monitoring arm of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The CEC said on Tuesday that the quota would now be increased to 75.
Five technical experts have been granted permission to enter the country as from February 5. The CEC also said that another group of 20 observers would be permitted into Russia to monitor the run up to the presidential polls, as well as the polls themselves, on Friday.
"The first team of 20 observers could arrive on February 8, and another 50 on February 20," Russian election officials said.
The CEC also promised the ODIHR emergency visas and maximum assistance in trips to Russian regions and restricted areas.
An ODIHR delegation in Moscow, which comprised representatives unauthorized to make decisions on behalf of the organization, has already left the Russian capital for Warsaw for consultations with senior officials.
Speaking last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the country's domestic security service that it should "step up efforts to receive on time information about any attempts to interfere in our domestic affairs."
"This country is a sovereign state and we will not allow anyone to manipulate the election campaign from abroad," he told FSB leaders.
The ODIHR boycotted Russia's parliamentary polls on December 2, citing visa delays and "unprecedented restrictions." The OSCE subsequently declared the polls "not free and fair."
Russia and observers from a number of former Soviet republics rejected the claims.
The Russian presidential campaign kicked off on February 2. There are four registered candidates - First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov, Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky, and Democratic Party leader Andrei Bogdanov. President Putin is unable to run for a third term in office.
Medvedev, who has been publicly backed by President Putin and the ruling United Russia party, is the clear front-runner in the election campaign.
Gennady Zyuganov said last Saturday he was not going to quit the race despite what he had earlier called media restrictions.
