MINSK, 14 February (BelTA) - Representatives of the CIS observation mission for the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus met with the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs - Chief of the Public Security Police Yuri Nazarenko in Minsk on 14 February, BelTA learned from the CIS mission.
The parties discussed topics related to the preparation and conduct of the referendum. Yuri Nazarenko briefed the CIS observers about the measures taken by the ministry to ensure law and order during the voting days, to counter possible provocations and prevent riots.
According to him, during early voting and on the main voting day, the police will be on duty around the clock at each polling station. Plans are in place to involve voluntary people's patrols to protect public order.
Yuri Nazarenko stressed that the situation in the country is calm. There have been isolated cases of threats against members of precinct commissions, and the police promptly investigated them. Three criminal cases have been opened.
For his part, head of the office of the CIS observation mission Leonid Anfimov spoke about the powers and principles of the mission, the procedure for its formation, noting that long-term observers from the CIS began monitoring the referendum in the regions of Belarus. Representatives of the mission met with senior officials of the CEC, the Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General's Office.
According to Leonid Anfimov, the process of forming the mission is nearing completion. It will include about 120 people representing the CIS member states, the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Belarus and Russia, the CIS Executive Committee and the Standing Committee of the Union State.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed on cooperation in informing the CIS observation mission about the work of the internal affairs bodies during the referendum campaign.
