MINSK, 6 February (BelTA) – Head of the Headquarters of the CIS Observation Mission Leonid Anfimov briefed reporters on the work of the mission to monitor the preparations for the parliamentary and local elections in Belarus prior to the meeting with Belarus’ Deputy Prosecutor General Maksim Voronin to discuss preparations for the forthcoming single voting day, BelTA has learned.
Leonid Anfimov noted that the work of the mission began on 22 January when the CIS Secretary General and Head of the CIS Observation Mission for Belarus’ elections Sergei Lebedev met with Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus Igor Karpenko. The observers are working in line with the approved plan; a lot has already been done.
“The mission consists of short-term and long-term observers. Short-term observers usually arrive 2-3 days before the start of the election campaign, before the start of elections. Long-term observers - 50 of them have already been accredited - participate in all elections-related events in the Republic Belarus,” the head of the mission’s headquarters explained.
According to Leonid Anfimov, what the mission saw at the onset of the campaign suggests that the ongoing elections will largely be similar to the previous ones, in which the CIS observation mission participated. “I don’t think there will be any significant differences. Maybe the campaign will just be a little more intense, given the political situation,” Leonid Anfimov said.
At the same time, the CIS observers will pay closer attention to all issues related to the specificity of the current election campaign. “Probably, this will be the only slight difference,” said Leonid Anfimov. “The task is one - to help hold free, democratic and transparent elections in the Republic of Belarus,” he remarked.
Speaking about the single voting day, the head of the mission’s headquarters highlighted its effectiveness. Firstly, it is more cost-effective, and secondly, there is less stress for voters. “When one [election] campaign goes after another, people grow tired or indifferent, and lose enthusiasm about voting or taking part in the campaign whatsoever,” he noted.
Leonid Anfimov noted that the work of the mission began on 22 January when the CIS Secretary General and Head of the CIS Observation Mission for Belarus’ elections Sergei Lebedev met with Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus Igor Karpenko. The observers are working in line with the approved plan; a lot has already been done.
“The mission consists of short-term and long-term observers. Short-term observers usually arrive 2-3 days before the start of the election campaign, before the start of elections. Long-term observers - 50 of them have already been accredited - participate in all elections-related events in the Republic Belarus,” the head of the mission’s headquarters explained.
According to Leonid Anfimov, what the mission saw at the onset of the campaign suggests that the ongoing elections will largely be similar to the previous ones, in which the CIS observation mission participated. “I don’t think there will be any significant differences. Maybe the campaign will just be a little more intense, given the political situation,” Leonid Anfimov said.
At the same time, the CIS observers will pay closer attention to all issues related to the specificity of the current election campaign. “Probably, this will be the only slight difference,” said Leonid Anfimov. “The task is one - to help hold free, democratic and transparent elections in the Republic of Belarus,” he remarked.
Speaking about the single voting day, the head of the mission’s headquarters highlighted its effectiveness. Firstly, it is more cost-effective, and secondly, there is less stress for voters. “When one [election] campaign goes after another, people grow tired or indifferent, and lose enthusiasm about voting or taking part in the campaign whatsoever,” he noted.
