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ELECTION OBSERVATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS
The institution of election observation in Belarus is legally
formulated in the Electoral Code
(Article 13).
According to the Electoral Code, foreign
(international) and national observers can carry out observation.
Foreign (international) observers from
foreign countries and international organizations are invited to Belarus by
the President of the Republic of Belarus, the Parliament, Council of
Ministers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Election Commission.
In Belarus, the procedure of accreditation
of foreign (international) observers by the Central Election Commission is
simple and unimpeded. To
obtain accreditation, it is enough to submit an invitation to observe
elections and a proof of identity of the observer.
Election commissions and state authorities
help foreign (international) observers to carry out their functions.
Electoral law defines a rather broad
circle of national observers – representatives of political parties, of
other public associations, of labor groups, of electors; deputies of
Parliament, deputies of local Councils of Deputies (local legislatures),
electioneering agents of candidates.
The procedure of sending national
observers to the meetings of election commissions and to polling places is
clarified by the Central Election Commission in the area of its competence.
The procedure provides an opportunity for political parties, other
public associations to send observers to all polling stations. Unlike
electoral legislation of other countries, allowing to send observers only
those political parties which have registered candidates, the Electoral
Code of Belarus gives such opportunity to all political parties, whether
they nominated their candidates or not.
Electoral Code defines in every detail the
legal status of an observer. Observers have the
right to carry out their activities at all stages of electoral campaign.
Both national and foreign observers can be
present at the meetings of commissions of all levels.
Observers have the right to be present at
polling stations during
sealing of ballot boxes, on election day, to observe issuance of ballots, to
observe voting process, to observe whether voting is carried out in the
established order, to observe calculation of votes. Observers have the
right to obtain information on the results of calculation of votes and
on protocols of voting results, get acquainted with these protocols and make
copies. They have the right to observe both preliminary voting and
voting at the residence of electors. Observers can send proposals and
comments on organization of voting to the chairman of the election
commission or to his deputy.
Should violation of electoral or other legislation be revealed, observers
have the right to submit a request to eliminate the violation to the
relevant of higher-level commission, to the public prosecutor or to prepare
an appropriate act.
In addition to the rights stated above,
foreign (international) observers have the right to meet candidates,
electioneering agents of candidates. After election day, they have the right
to express their opinion on electoral legislation of Belarus, to hold press
conferences, to address mass media. Foreign (international) observers can
visit any polling station or any electoral commission at their choice.
According to the Electoral Code (Article
13), during electoral campaign representatives of mass media have the right
to be present at the meetings of election commissions, to be present in
polling places, including during calculation of votes. Mass media report on
preparation and conduct of elections in accordance with the current
legislation.
The institution of election observation is
used very widely in Belarus. During parliamentary elections in 2004,
observation was conducted by 734 foreign (international) observers and over
24,000 national observers.
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