ORSHA, 22 February (BelTA) – Statements by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the elections in Belarus are groundless, Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Belarus Igor Karpenko told reporters commenting on the recent critical report by OSCE/ODIHR, BelTA has learned.
“OSCE/ODIHR issued similar reports long before the elections. Back in May last year, they issued the 'Report on the serious threat to the OSCE human dimension in Belarus since 5 November 2020,' where our political reform was presented in a negative frame,” noted Igor Karpenko. “Probably, OSCE/ODIHR should first of all look at its own structure, at how it works, at its double standards and interference in internal affairs during our electoral processes,” the CEC chief remarked.
“All these statements [by OSCE/ODIHR], in my opinion, are groundless,” the head of the Central Election Commission emphasized. He added that OSCE/ODIHR, just like the organization itself, is in deep crisis.
