OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on parliamentary elections in Belarus

A team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) visited Minsk from 20 to 22 December 2016 to present the final report of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission for the 11 September 2016 parliamentary elections in Belarus.

The report’s findings and recommendations were discussed with representatives of state authorities, election administration, as well as political parties, civil society and the international community. The ODIHR team proposed potential areas for further co-operation and specific steps that can be undertaken by various stakeholders to bring election legislation and practices in closer conformity with OSCE commitments and other international standards.

“We appreciate the commitment by the authorities of Belarus to address the recommendations and hope that the reform will be undertaken early enough through a transparent and inclusive process with all relevant stakeholders,” said Tana de Zulueta, who led the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission. “Belarus can always rely on ODIHR’s support and expertise.”

The report recommends, in particular, that authorities address previous ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations, including those related to the composition of election commissions, candidacy rights, observers’ rights, voting, counting and tabulation. It also recommends that the law should be interpreted and implemented to ensure an equal playing field for contestants, genuine competition, the free expression of the will of the voters and the integrity of the electoral process.

“We welcome the fact that the authorities at the highest level take seriously the issues raised in the report,” said Kent Härstedt (MP, Sweden), who served as Special Co-ordinator of the short-term OSCE observer mission. “The good cooperation we enjoyed during the elections must rapidly materialize into substantial progress for the benefit of the Belarusian citizens.”

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations. The participating States have also taken upon themselves the commitment to ensure that legislation be adopted at the end of a public procedure. The team from OSCE/ODIHR indicated to all interlocutors that key outstanding recommendations for improving the conduct of elections and trust in the electoral process need to be addressed, and that ODIHR stands ready to provide a legal expertise in this reform process.