28 August 2008
Head of OSCE observation mission praises current operating conditions for observers

Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, head of the long-term observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, praised the current operating conditions for election monitors.

The experience so far has been solely positive, Dr. Ahrens told reporters in Minsk on Wednesday. In particular, he said, the invitations arrived on time, the mission had no technical problems, met with highest-ranking government officials and arranged for itself to have meetings with the foreign ministry’s officials and members of the central election commission every Thursday.

Nevertheless, the mission will base its conclusions about the parliamentary elections primarily on what happens on the voting day and how the counting process goes, Dr. Ahrens said, adding that the most important thing is that observers should attend the counting of ballots. The mission would very much like its assessment of the elections to be favorable, but this will depend on what scenario the rest of the campaign will follow, he said.

Political parties play a small role in Belarus, Dr. Ahrens noted, suggesting that this might be a result of the historical development of society in Belarus. The role of parties in the election process should be more important, he stressed.