Opinions & Interviews

“The Belarusian side is ready to provide all necessary assistance to the observation mission for the fulfillment of its mandate,” said Vladimir Andreichenko.

Vladimir Andreichenko thanked the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe for the participation in the monitoring of the presidential election in Belarus. “We are glad to see PACE representatives in our country. We hope that these contacts will make a good basis for our further cooperation in the issues of mutual interest,” the Belarusian Speaker noted.

In his words, there is every indication that the observers will make an objective conclusion after the election. “Belarus has always stayed committed to the implementation of international obligations. We will make every effort to hold the election in an open, free and democratic manner,” Vladimir Andreichenko added.

According to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Electoral Code of Belarus meets international standards. The recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights were taken into account when amendments were introduced in it. “The norms of the Electoral Code allow political opinions and ideas to compete,” Vladimir Andreichenko stressed. All the participants of the election process have the right to get information about the candidates for the post of the President of Belarus.

According to Vladimir Andreichenko, civil society institutions and political parties are free to take part in the formation of election commissions, campaign and observe the elections.

In his words, the parliament is ready to take into account every remarks and recommendations from international observers to make necessary amendments into the election law.

As was earlier informed, the PACE delegation should have been led by Armenian MP Arpine Hovhannisyan. However, on 4 September she was appointed as Armenia’s Minister of Justice and, thus, will not be able to visit the Belarusian capital.

The PACE observation mission (delegation) has been headed by Turkish MP Reha Demenec. The PACE delegation also included Andrea Rigoni (Italy), Jonas Gunnarsson (Sweden), Andrej Hunko (Germany) as well as representatives of the PACE Secretariat, including Sonia Sirtori Milner, the Head of the Office of the PACE Secretary General.

In early July, PACE appointed observers for the presidential election in Belarus. There was decided then that the mission would comprise 27 politicians from five parties, including their deputies. The team of observers will include current PACE rapporteur on Belarus Andrea Rigoni. Observers represent various countries, including Sweden, Switzerland, Romania, Italy, Austria, Spain, Turkey, Armenia, France, Germany, the UK and other states.