Sannikov: We expect full-scale monitoring

OSCE/ODIHR observers held a number of meetings with opposition representatives.

The OSCE/ODIHR technical mission ended its visit to Belarus. The mission members had meetings with representatives of the official authorities and the opposition. Based on the results of the work, the mission will take a decision on sending international observers to the presidential election in Belarus, Radio Svaboda reports.

The delegation led by Beata Martin-Rozumilowiczv, deputy head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Department, studied the situation in Belarus ahead of the election and preparation for the election. The mission members met with potential presidential candidates Andrei Sannikov and Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, deputy head of Lukashenka’s Administration Valery Matskevich, editor of “Sovetskaya Belorussia” Pavel Yakubovich. There were also some meetings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission, and a number of embassies.

Andrei Sannikov, the leader of European Belarus civil campaign, says he expects full-scale monitoring of the election by the OSCE.

“I told that the laws were violated, the CEC head said she was a member of Lukashenka’s team, so she doesn’t have the rights to hold the office of the CEC head. I also told about the 2004 referendum. Observers focus their interests on how the election process is carried out, what I am doing and what I plan to do to run in the election,” Andrei Sannikov said.

The delegation members refrained from assessment of the situation so far. According to ODIHR representative Jens-Hagen Eschenbacher, the mission will make a report on the visit within a week or two. It will define the form of monitoring the election by the OSCE, the number of observers and the date of their arrival in Belarus.

“We are happy to have received an early invitation from the Belarusian authorities. That’s great. This gives is enough time to prepare the mission,” an OSCE representative said.

Valyantsin Stefanovich, a member of Viasna human rights center, noted during a meeting with OISCE mission, the social and political situation in Belarus remained unfavourable for holding free and democratic election.

“There haven’t been any systemic changes, laws in different spheres haven’t been changed. I mean the laws on mass street events and freedom of associations. New political parties haven’t been registered, article 193-1 hasn’t been canceled, the situation with the freedom of speech remains bad. We didn’t see any positive changes during the local election. As of main aspects of the campaign, such as vote count, rights of observers, formation of commissions, we are unlikely to see anything new at this election,” Valyantsin Stefanovich thinks.