OSCE observers unveil first interim report on parliamentary elections

There is “very little evidence” that an election is underway in Belarus, the observation mission deployed in the country by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights says in its first interim report on the conduct of Belarus’ parliamentary elections, BelaPAN said.

The report covers the progress of the campaign between August 12 and 30.

The mission describes the political atmosphere in the country as “calm” and says that government officials “expect a peaceful and transparent election process.”

At the same time, the report says, “the political environment in Belarus continues to be highly polarized.”

According to the report, the political climate has been improved “to some extent” following the release of three dissidents widely viewed as political prisoners in August.

The OSCE observers note that they have been informed of “a number of problems” regarding the collection of ballot-access signatures by parliamentary hopefuls and their aides and currently looking into them.

The mission stresses that members of district and precinct election commissions are appointed by local government bodies, which “retain full legal discretion over appointments.” Noting that opposition representatives account for a tiny share of election commission members, the observers say that the Belarusian government has portrayed an increase in the number of oppositionists on election commissions as “a step forward.”

The mission points to a lack of independent media outlets, “in particular, among broadcast media that serve as the main source of information.”

The OSCE observers have been monitoring election coverage by four TV channels, one radio station and 10 newspapers to “evaluate whether the media provides impartial and balanced coverage of candidates and other political entities, and what attention media pay to related campaign issues as well as information programs.”

Led by Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, the mission includes 15 long-term observers based in Minsk and 40 more deployed in the provinces. They are expected to be joined by some 300 short-term observers on the main voting day, September 28.

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