Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Disappointed with Assessment of Elections in Belarus Made by ODIHR OSCE Observers

The assessment of parliamentary elections in Belarus made by ODIHR OSCE observers disappointed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, says the statement issued by the Department on Information and Press under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and spread on September 30th. In particular, the statement says that “the elections testify to the effect that Belarusians have not only a strong sense of civil duty, but are also interested in continuity and stability”.

The assessment of parliamentary elections in Belarus made by ODIHR OSCE observers disappointed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, says the statement issued by the Department on Information and Press under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and spread on September 30^th. In particular, the statement says that “the elections testify to the effect that Belarusians have not only a strong sense of civil duty, but are also interested in continuity and stability”.

The opinion of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is based on the statement made by CIS Observer Mission. The statement emphasizes that the elections were held at the highest organizational level in conformity with current Belarusian electoral legislation and generally recognized international norms of holding democratic elections. CIS Mission paid special attention to the fact that election committees, public and executive authorities of Belarus created all necessary conditions so that a maximum number of existing in Belarus political forces could have been involved in election process as well as secured citizens’ voting right when holding parliamentary elections.

“That is why the assessment of elections in Belarus made by ODIHR OSCE observer mission cannot but disappoints. Its leaders believe that elections in Belarus cannot be recognized by the OSCE as entirely free and democratic ones,” says Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Thereupon it is of interest to consider what other “improvements” in election process Belarusian authorities should bring about so that elections in Belarus would be recognized as free and democratic ones,” wonders Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.