Belarus

Belarus: HRDFE offers support to the CEC on the implementation of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations

In a proposal presented to the Central Election Commission of Belarus (CEC), the Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections (HRDFE), an initiative of the EPDE members Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center Viasna, suggest a number of steps to implement the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR to ensure democratic conduct of the future elections in Belarus. Although the HRDFE experts recommend complex changes in the electoral legislation, they also stress that the democratic conduct of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled in late 2016 depends on the proper implementation of the existing election law and can be assured solely by resolutions of the Central Election Commission (CEC). More information about this you can find here.

From 12 February till 15 March an interdepartmental working group established by the president Lukashenka at the CEC, which consisted of representatives of the CEC, the Council of the Republic, the House of Representatives, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Information, analyzed the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. 30 detailed instructions on implementation  proposed by HRDFE were apparently considered by the CEC working group. The HRDFE urges the authorities to ensure the transparency of the amending the electoral legislation by involving of independent experts, election observation NGOs and political parties in the process of drafting of election law.

Recommendations of HRDFE you can find here.

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