OSCE observers not interested in Lukashenka's figures

The most negative aspects of the presidential elections in Belarus are the inability to observe the vote count, the lack of opposition representatives in election commissions, as well as unequal conditions for competition. This was stated during a press conference on October 12 by the top officials of the OSCE ODIHR observer mission Jacques Faure, Jim Walsh of the OSCE PA, Kent Harstedt and Reha Denemec.

The observers were particularly disappointed by the inability to observe the process of counting votes, said the coordinator of the OSCE short-term observers Kent Harstedt.

"We received positive responses from the CEC that there will be progress in this matter and I personally received a confirmation for the OSCE observers, that they will be able to see the count. But the situation in the stations was very different: at about 30% of the stations we were unable to observe the vote counte. And it is a matter of concern. We thought we made progress, moved forward on this issue... Personally, I am very disappointed."

According to Kent Harstedt, no geopolitics will affect the final report of their mission. According to him, their mission is only interested in events related to these elections and "they do not lend themselves to any political pressure."

The final resolution of international observers will also not be affected by the high figure with which Aliaksandr Lukashenka won the election. According to the OSCE PA Jim Walsh, for them the main thing is that "the process was correct and in line with international standards - so that the result will reflect the will of the people."

The final report of the international observers will appear two months, promised  Kent Harstedt.

Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk