MINSK, 1 February (BelTA) – The central election commissions of the CIS states have already received invitations to observe the referendum in Belarus, BelTA learned from Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Igor Karpenko.
The official said: “Belarus' CEC have sent invitations for representatives of the central election commissions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. In other words, the CIS states. As you know, the president, the House of Representatives, the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the right to invite foreign international observers. The central election commission has also availed itself of the right.”
In his words, the CEC will accredit observers on the basis of the invitation and a foreign international observer accreditation form. The relevant identification papers will be issued.
On 20 January Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed a decree to schedule a nationwide referendum for 27 February. Belarusians will also be able to cast their votes for or against amendments and addenda to the Constitution early on 22-26 February.