20.07.2012
OSCE PA to second full-fledged mission to monitor Belarus’ parliamentary election
MINSK, 20 July (BelTA) – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has plans to dispatch a full-fledged election observation mission to monitor the forthcoming parliamentary election in Belarus that will be held on 23 September. The statement was posted on the official website of the OSCE PA.
President Riccardo Migliori called the mission "a crucial moment of our activity" in his inaugural address in Monaco where he announced Belarus’ election observation. He appointed Italian MP Matteo Mecacci, chair of the OSCE PA human rights committee, head of the observation mission in Belarus.
"We come into this election observation with an open mind and outstretched hand to our friends in Belarus," Matteo Mecacci said.
OSCE PA Programme Director Anna Chernova participated in the Needs Assessment Mission on 16-18 July with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Officials in Minsk expressed their willingness to cooperate with an OSCE election observation mission in line with the government's official invitation which welcomed OSCE observers without restrictions.
The Needs Assessment Mission met with election officials, MPs, registered and unregistered political parties and movements, presidential administration, ministries of foreign affairs, information, and justice, as well as state media, independent journalists and NGOs.
The OSCE PA observed elections in Belarus in 1995, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.
President Riccardo Migliori called the mission "a crucial moment of our activity" in his inaugural address in Monaco where he announced Belarus’ election observation. He appointed Italian MP Matteo Mecacci, chair of the OSCE PA human rights committee, head of the observation mission in Belarus.
"We come into this election observation with an open mind and outstretched hand to our friends in Belarus," Matteo Mecacci said.
OSCE PA Programme Director Anna Chernova participated in the Needs Assessment Mission on 16-18 July with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Officials in Minsk expressed their willingness to cooperate with an OSCE election observation mission in line with the government's official invitation which welcomed OSCE observers without restrictions.
The Needs Assessment Mission met with election officials, MPs, registered and unregistered political parties and movements, presidential administration, ministries of foreign affairs, information, and justice, as well as state media, independent journalists and NGOs.
The OSCE PA observed elections in Belarus in 1995, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010.