IPA CIS observers are providing long-term monitoring of the parliamentary election in Belarus

On 17 August 2016, IPA CIS international observers came to Minsk for the long-term monitoring of the election to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

The Central Commission on Elections and Referendums of the Republic of Belarus arranged a meeting with its Chairperson Lidiya Ermoshina. During the meeting, the observers shared their action plan for short-term and long-term monitoring. Lidiya Ermoshina informed the IPA CIS observers about the details of this political campaign and the nomination of candidates. She also recommended the observers to review carefully the locations where the campaign will take place.

Secretary of the Central Commission Nikolay Lozovik also had a meeting with the observers. He provided detailed information about the process of preparing precinct electoral commissions and about changes in electoral procedures aimed at increasing their transparency. Now, the observers will have access to the list of voters and to the number of those voted. Nikolay Lozovik emphasized that the observers would also be able to watch the process of counting ballot papers by precinct electoral commissions.

On 17 August 2016, IPA CIS international observers attended precinct electoral commissions № 98, 99, 100 in Minsk.

They held meetings with chairpersons, secretaries and commission members and discussed different stages of the electoral process.

The observers noted that the number of unregistered candidates was minimal, political parties (including those in opposition) played an important role in the current political campaign. Different social agencies such as Belaya Rus, Belorussian Republican Union of the Young, Belorussian Helsinki Committee watched the work of the electoral commission, that have appropriate conditions of work and are provided with all necessary information. The finance is also allocated to the full extent.

The observers also visited the Headquarters of the CIS Mission. With Evgeniy Sloboda, the Head of the Headquarters, they discussed all necessary detail for the effective cooperation during short-term and long-term monitoring.

On 18 August, the observers are to continue their work in Minsk Oblast and in Vitebsk Oblast.