Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) -Every effort will be made to implement the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations in the shortest possible time, Belarus’ CEC Secretary Nikolai Lozovik said at a meeting of the interdepartmental working group of experts on 16 February, BelTA has learned

"We took note that the ODIHR/OSCE proposals are primarily aimed at enhancing the openness and transparency of the electoral process, and we will do our best to ensure that they are implemented as soon as possible", said Nikolai Lozovik. The matter is about those recommendations whose implementation does not imply changes in the Constitution, as this would require quite a long time.

"The group of experts will review all of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, select those that could be applied in practice during the preparation and conduct of the parliamentary elections. These proposals will be implemented," said the CEC Secretary.

Speaking about a possible meeting between the interdepartmental group at the Central Election Commission and representatives of the OSCE/ODIHR, Nikolai Lozovik noted that this will depend primarily on the OSCE.

"We created a self-sufficient group of experts. These are highly qualified people, high-class lawyers. We are able to analyze and develop the necessary measures to implement the recommendations. Should they want a concerted work, we will only welcome this. We are ready to meet experts from the OSCE/ODIHR in Warsaw, or in Belarus. This depends primarily on their willingness and desire to cooperate,” he said.

When asked about the date of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Nikolai Lozovik said that so far no proposals to this effect have been made. "This means that we will act in compliance with the constitutional norm, and aim for the date of 11 September,” he said.

The interdepartmental group of experts is headed by Yelena Dmuhailo, a member of the Belarusian Central Election Commission. The group includes: Head of the Department of Constitutional and International Law of the Belarus National Center of Legislation and Legal Research Igor Golubitsky, Deputy Head of European cooperation- head of the OSCE and Council of Europe Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrei Yeroshkin, Head of the Legal Department of the Secretariat of the Council of the Republic Mikhail Kapylsky, Head of the Law and Personnel Department of the Information Ministry Viktoria Meleshko, Chairperson of the Permanent Commission for Legislation and State Construction of the Council of the Republic Lilia Moroz, Head of the Public and International Law Department of the Main Legal Office of the Secretariat of the House of Representatives Galina Orlova, Chief Adviser to the Constitutional Law Department at the Constitutional and International Law Office at the National Center of Legislation and Legal Research Alexander Pestunov, Member of the House of Representatives Dmitry Shevtsov, head of the Main Public Construction Law Office at the Justice Ministry Anna Shpak.