MINSK, 27 January (BelTA) - The election in Belarus was peaceful, calm and democratic, President of the Pan-African Parliament Fortune Charumbira told journalists, BelTA learned.
“All members of the mission will confirm my words. We as an organization of 55 countries unanimously declare that your election was free, fair, legal, democratic and met all legal requirements,” Fortune Charumbira said, adding that the observers assessed the compliance if the process with the Electoral Code of Belarus and international standards when visiting polling stations.
According to him, before going to polling stations for observation, the mission studied all the documents - the Constitution of the country, the Electoral Code.
“I would like to point out that your documents, the Electoral Code correlate with the electoral laws around the world. We, as observers, have access to these documents and can draw conclusions,” Fortune Charumbira noted.
When visiting polling stations, the mission noted the atmosphere - it was absolutely calm. People calmly entered a polling station, went to the booth and put their ballot in a ballot box. “We believe the atmosphere at the polling stations was 100% in line with international standards,” he said.
Observers noted the presence of transparent ballot boxes. They had been sealed in the presence of the observers and had not been opened since, Fortune Charumbira said.
Another thing that the mission noted, which demonstrates that the election in Belarus was democratic and inclusive, was the presence of a portable ballot box used for voters who have difficulty getting to a polling station. This shows that no one was left behind and all people were able to express their will freely, Fortune Charumbira emphasized.
The mission indicated that the election was very safe. The observers noted that people coming to a polling station did not feel any threats and voted peacefully. “We witnessed families coming to polling stations, with small children, with strollers. Families will not go to polling stations with their children if they feel threatened in any way,” Fortune Charumbira observed.
“All members of the mission will confirm my words. We as an organization of 55 countries unanimously declare that your election was free, fair, legal, democratic and met all legal requirements,” Fortune Charumbira said, adding that the observers assessed the compliance if the process with the Electoral Code of Belarus and international standards when visiting polling stations.
According to him, before going to polling stations for observation, the mission studied all the documents - the Constitution of the country, the Electoral Code.
“I would like to point out that your documents, the Electoral Code correlate with the electoral laws around the world. We, as observers, have access to these documents and can draw conclusions,” Fortune Charumbira noted.
When visiting polling stations, the mission noted the atmosphere - it was absolutely calm. People calmly entered a polling station, went to the booth and put their ballot in a ballot box. “We believe the atmosphere at the polling stations was 100% in line with international standards,” he said.
The mission also paid attention to the site of an election commission, its members and the functions they performed.
The president of the Pan-African Parliament noted that the majority of people working at polling stations were women, which inspired trust.
“In 50% of the polling stations we visited, the chairperson of the election commission was also a woman, and this fact is an important indicator of fair and transparent election,” he said.
“In 50% of the polling stations we visited, the chairperson of the election commission was also a woman, and this fact is an important indicator of fair and transparent election,” he said.
Observers noted the presence of transparent ballot boxes. They had been sealed in the presence of the observers and had not been opened since, Fortune Charumbira said.
Another thing that the mission noted, which demonstrates that the election in Belarus was democratic and inclusive, was the presence of a portable ballot box used for voters who have difficulty getting to a polling station. This shows that no one was left behind and all people were able to express their will freely, Fortune Charumbira emphasized.
The mission indicated that the election was very safe. The observers noted that people coming to a polling station did not feel any threats and voted peacefully. “We witnessed families coming to polling stations, with small children, with strollers. Families will not go to polling stations with their children if they feel threatened in any way,” Fortune Charumbira observed.
The mission observed the vote count and concluded that the process was conducted in accordance with legal requirements.
He noted that it was the first time the mission was in Eastern Europe to observe elections. Belarus was the first to show such a degree of openness and invited the Pan-African Parliament observers.
The president of the Pan-African Parliament wished the people of Belarus unity and forward movement.
The president of the Pan-African Parliament wished the people of Belarus unity and forward movement.