Observer from Pan-African Parliament: Belarusians didn’t feel any threats at polling stations

At a briefing in the CEC Information Centre, a delegation of observers from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) noted the high level of organisation of the electoral process in Belarus

Observers from Algeria, Cape Verde, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon and Zimbabwe got acquainted with the course of the election in our country.

Fortune Charumbira, who heads the observer mission from the Pan-African Parliament, thanked the Government of Belarus and the people for the invitation to visit the country, “This is the first time we are observing election in this part of the world. We sometimes go to South America, but this is the first time we have been here. Belarusians have shown great openness. We are familiar with international standards and understand how the [electoral] process should be organised. First of all, we paid attention to the fact that voting was open and the process was free. Before visiting polling stations, we studied various documents: the Constitution and the Electoral Code. The atmosphere at polling stations was 100 percent in line with all international standards.”

Chairman of the Pan-African Parliament Fortune Charumbira also said that he was greatly impressed, “The atmosphere at the polling stations attracted attention. There were no shouts, rallies, fuss. People were peacefully and quietly making their choice. We paid attention to the transparent boxes for voting. Earlier in the world, opaque materials were used. Moreover, the presence of a portable ballot box indicates that the process is inclusive, so that anyone who cannot get to the polling station can make their choice. Most countries do not have such boxes. We made sure that nobody felt any threats at the polling stations. Belarusians came as families, with children. As an organisation of 55 countries, which exceeds the European Parliament in the number of countries, we unanimously declare that the Presidential election in Belarus is free, fair, democratic and meets all legal requirements.”

The Pan-African Parliament, as a reputable international organisation, has consistently advocated peace, justice, security and sustainable development for all. Fortune Charumbira recalled that in 2024 a delegation of the National Assembly of Belarus participated in the fourth plenary session of the Pan-African Parliament in South Africa.

“A memorandum of co-operation was signed between Belarus’ National Assembly and the PAP, according to which the Parliament of Belarus was granted an observer status with this organisation. We will continue to invite our Belarusian colleagues to observe the election,” Mr. Charumbira noted.