Presidential election 2015 in Belarus

BREST, 11 October (BelTA) – Attitude to observers in Belarus inspires special respect, Secretary General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), head of the SCO election observation mission Dmitry Mezentsev told media at one of the polling stations in Brest on 10 October, BelTA informs.

Dmitry Mezentsev told reporters about the visit the SCO mission paid to the Central Election Commission of Belarus. He was impressed by an open dialogue and absolute freedom provided to observers. “We were invited to follow the plans we had outlined for ourselves before. This is the position we respect most of all,” the SCO head stressed.

In his words, it is for the first time in the history of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization its observation mission has been working in its observer state. “On 10 July 2015 Belarus was granted an observer status in the SCO following the corresponding decision made at the SCO Heads of State Council. It is for the first time a united observation mission takes part in the monitoring. We view it as great trust and high responsibility,” said Dmitry Mezentsev.

Monitoring the presidential election in Belarus are nine SCO observers representing China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. According to the head of the mission, his coworkers have gone to different corners of the country on 10 October. On the voting day SCO observers will work in Minsk as well as in Minsk, Grodno, Gomel, Vitebsk and Brest Oblasts. “We believe we will visit dozens of polling sites. In line with the legislative norms of the Republic of Belarus we will analyze the work of precinct election commissions and the voting process. The final statement of the SCO election observation mission will be announced at the press center in Minsk on Monday, 12 October. I am confident it will be highly objective,” Dmitry Mezentsev said.

On 10 October the SCO head paid a visit to polling station No.75 at Brest school No.1. Dmitry Mezentsev talked to observers that represent various public organizations and parties. “No violations have been detected so far. We have no complaints either,” Dmitry Mezentsev said.

On the voting day the head of the SCO election observation mission is expected to visit a number of polling stations in Minsk.