MINSK, 28 October (BelTA) – Electoral processes are now a target for destructive forces that encroach on the sovereignty and independence of the CIS member states, Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova said as she addressed the 54th plenary session of the CIS IPA in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on 28 October, BelTA has learned.
"The topic of this plenary session ‘Legislative support of electoral processes in the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States' is very important. Elections and referendums are obligatory attributes of democracy, the main political institutions, which allow people to act as the real source of power. Their effective legal regulation is an important prerequisite for evolutionary development,” Natalya Kochanova said. “Unfortunately, today electoral processes have become a target of destructive forces that encroach on the sovereignty and independence of the CIS member states, on the inalienable right of our peoples to make a civilizational choice. Brazen, cynical and blatant zombification of voters with color revolution technologies, tonnes of vile lies and fake stories, hysteria in social networks, and unprecedented illegitimate sanctions... This is only a superficial description of the reality of what some CIS countries have already experienced in the past few years. It is only thanks to the wisdom, determination and political will of our leaders, and mutual support of the CIS member states that we have been able to hold out. Moreover, even in such frankly adverse conditions, our states do not refuse to fulfill the commitments they have made to their peoples.”
The CIS countries continue to successfully carry out important political campaigns, such as elections and referendums. “This is evidenced by the results of the activity of the CIS Observation Mission. I believe that the system of international observation of national elections and referendums developed in the CIS can serve as an example for the entire world community. Our experience can be used as a regional standard for electoral cooperation with all countries interested in that. In the future it can become a basis for universal international approaches to the observation of election processes,” stressed the chairperson of the Council of the Republic. “The adoption of the model law “On International Election Observation and Referendums” as well as the recommendations of the IPA CIS on countering foreign interference in the national elections, which will be discussed today during the plenary session, seem to be a significant step in this direction. It is important that the elections are assessed on the basis of actual compliance with the established standards, without dividing states into democratic and non-democratic ones and without adjusting the reports to the political position of the decision-making centers. The main goal of international observation should be to help citizens freely and independently determine the future of their country.”
“I am confident that with such a representative and highly professional composition of today's event, we will be able to reach concrete decisions aimed at the progressive development of our relations in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance. There is every reason to believe that the 54th plenary session will add a new bright page to the annals of our inter-parliamentary family. Further strengthening of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the CIS member states and other partner associations, joint coordinated work of MPs will contribute to the development of civilized approaches to solving urgent international, regional and national issues, while jointly taken decisions will make a significant contribution to the formation of a strong foundation for the new world architecture,” Natalya Kochanova stated.
