Belarus parliament elections

MINSK, 18 May (BelTA) - One side of the table where counting of votes is arranged should be open to observers, chairperson of the Belarusian Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina told media, BelTA has learnt.

“One side of the table on which a precinct election commission counts votes should be open to observers. They must see the whole procedure of counting”, the CEC head said. Members of the commission need not stand on three other sides. With regard to the distance from the table, Lidia Yermoshina explained: “I think observers will need to stand at a distance of three meters. No more.”

Lidia Yermoshina noted that 22 OSCE/ODIHR proposals out of 30 require amendments to the laws and the Constitution of Belarus. Making changes to the laws in the run-up to the election is unrealistic. The adjustment of the Constitution is so far simply impossible. “Therefore we decided to focus on improving the law enforcement practices. The Central Election Commission has already adopted a number of resolutions. They apply to the most important thing – make vote count more transparent,” she said.

“The vote count procedure will allow observers to see all actions of a precinct election commission. International observers will be also allowed to district election commissions during the summarization of the results,” the CEC chair said. Observers have the right to get information on the number of voters included into the voters’ lists and those taking part in the vote.

“More transparent rules have been developed to govern the establishment of precinct, district and territorial commissions. This does not require amendments to the country’s election laws,” Lidia Yermoshina noted.

She stressed that the CEC recommendations are binding for commissions at the local level.