MINSK, 2 July (BelTA) - CIS observers will come to Belarus for the elections if the epidemiological situation permits, Chairman of the Executive Committee - CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev told reporters in Minsk on 2 July, BelTA has learned.
“We are aware that the Belarusian authorities are ready to invite observers from the CIS and the OSCE/ODIHR to monitor the upcoming elections. We heard such statements. But we understand that the decision is difficult to make given the pandemic. You also know that several such election campaigns have been postponed in the CIS countries: a referendum in Armenia, the referendum that was held in Russia was also supposed to take place earlier. Some elections in other CIS countries have been postponed. The situation, frankly speaking, is uncertain,” Sergei Lebedev noted.
Sergei Lebedev recalled that many CIS countries have imposed travel restrictions amid the pandemic. “There is no transport, air service. Therefore, the CIS Executive Committee will be understanding of any options how to solve this problem. If we are invited, we will, of course, come and monitor,” he added.
