Parliamentary Elections, 11 September 2016

Video from the press conference

Following an invitation by the authorities of the Republic of Belarus to observe the 11 September parliamentary elections, and in accordance with its mandate, OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Tana de Zulueta, consists of 10 international experts based in Minsk. In addition, 38 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 11 August.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess the parliamentary elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Short-Term observers

The OSCE/ODIHR requests participating States to second four hundred (400) short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet and register on the STO database.

Election day

The OSCE/ODIHR has requested 400 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 11 September elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its parliamentary partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are planning to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed seven elections since 2001, most recently the 2015 presidential election.