Events

MINSK, 16 January (BelTA) – U.S. diplomats, who are accredited in Belarus, have expressed their desire to participate in the monitoring of the forthcoming municipal elections in Belarus, BelTA learned from Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina on 16 January.

The official noted that international observers are, as a rule, not invited to monitor municipal elections. “However, we have a tradition of allowing foreign diplomats, who are accredited in the Republic of Belarus, to perform short-term observation,” said Lidia Yermoshina.

According to the source, the U.S. embassy has already contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission to express the desire to observe the municipal elections. For now nine officers of the American embassy, including the charge d’affaires, are eager to observe the municipal elections in Belarus.

Diplomats of other countries have also expressed their desire to participate in the short-term observation of the political campaign.

The foreign observers have the right to attend sessions of any election commissions and at any polling stations. They are free to stay at a polling station right until the votes are counted. It is yet unclear how many diplomats will be accredited to observe the municipal elections, but 50 accreditation papers were issued in 2010 and 15 ones in 2014.

Long-term international missions usually work in Belarus during presidential elections and parliamentary elections.

The municipal elections are scheduled to take place in Belarus on 18 February. Early voting will be available on 13-17 February. Local election commissions are now verifying the candidate nomination papers. Once the work is done, decisions to register candidates or not will be made. This stage of the election campaign will last through 18 January. Right after registration the candidates will be free to start campaigning by making speeches for mass media, arranging rallies and pickets, and raising the awareness of voters about their programs. Campaigning will last through 17 February. No campaigning is allowed on the election day.

As many as 22,713 people are vying for 18,111 seats on municipal councils of deputies or 1.2 persons per seat.