Posted:
25.10.2024 09:59:53
CEC: international observers may not use their status for unrelated purposes
On October 24th, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Republic of Belarus met to discuss issues such as procedures for setting up local electoral commissions, Presidential candidate nomination, assignment and functions of local and foreign (international) observers, electoral document forms, etc.
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As Sergei Shmarlovsky, the departmental head at the Central Election Commission, explained at the meeting, an international observer’s powers come into force on the day of their accreditation, and expire on the day the CEC announces the Presidential election results. According to Article 11 of the Constitution, during their stay in the Republic of Belarus, international observers enjoy the same rights and liberties, and bear the same responsibilities as any Belarusian citizen, if the Constitution, national laws, or international treaties do not require otherwise, explained Mr. Shmarlovsky.
“Powers granted to international observers are quite broad. I’d like to emphasise, however, that they are supposed to be independent and self-sufficient. International observers may not use their status to do anything unrelated to observing the electoral preparations and the election itself. They may not interfere in the electoral process. If an international observer breaks the Belarusian law, or any of the generally accepted international legal principles and norms, the Central Election Commission would be within its rights to strip such an observer of their status,” he added.
As Sergei Shmarlovsky, the departmental head at the Central Election Commission, explained at the meeting, an international observer’s powers come into force on the day of their accreditation, and expire on the day the CEC announces the Presidential election results. According to Article 11 of the Constitution, during their stay in the Republic of Belarus, international observers enjoy the same rights and liberties, and bear the same responsibilities as any Belarusian citizen, if the Constitution, national laws, or international treaties do not require otherwise, explained Mr. Shmarlovsky.
“Powers granted to international observers are quite broad. I’d like to emphasise, however, that they are supposed to be independent and self-sufficient. International observers may not use their status to do anything unrelated to observing the electoral preparations and the election itself. They may not interfere in the electoral process. If an international observer breaks the Belarusian law, or any of the generally accepted international legal principles and norms, the Central Election Commission would be within its rights to strip such an observer of their status,” he added.
