Yarmoshyna: I am a member of president's team
"I will keep this post for as long as the head of the state will see it necessary". The chairwoman of Central Election Commission tells the European Radio for Belarus how many local councils will change and why she wants Lukashenka to face a strong contender. Local elections have been scheduled for April 25. It will be the first poll to take place in accordance with the amended electoral laws. At the same time, many politicians doubt that these amendments will look as good in practice.
Lying around your sofa and avoiding the political competition, it is only possible to criticize. It is totally likely that local administrations might make some errors. But parties now have a possibility of appealing the decisions taken by local administrations in court. I believe that all those amendments provide additional chances. Now it depends on parties whether they will be able to take use of these chances.
Do you expect international observers for local elections?
We have not invited international observers for the local poll. If there are some observers, they will be associated with some exchange programs only.
Will OSCE's Office for Democracy and Human Rights monitor how the amendments in electoral laws are going to work?
I think so. They will monitor through the OSCE office in Minsk. It is very possible they will meet representatives of political parties and the government. Behavior of this highly respected institute depends greatly on OSCE's position on Belarus.
Probably, there will be accusations of rigging the results of the poll. You personally will be accused agaim. How do you react?
I am just an appointed 'scapegoat'. I do not listen to accusations. I am confident that I performed honestly and fairly. Moreover, I have done a lot for political opponents to be able to take part in the electoral campaign. They accuse, but they are vey well aware that Yarmoshyna does not count votes.She just announces the results. I cannot fasify anything personally.
Are you going to join politics and teach how to win?
I do not know how to advertise myself, because elections imply self-advertising. Besides, I am a member of president's team. A team member does not take his or her own decision on how long this post should be occupied. Therefore, I will keep this post for as long as the president sees it necessary.
You don't believe that political parties will be able to stand out in the regions, do you?
Unfortunately, they are almost inexistent at the grassroot level in the regions. Perhaps, there are some cells in the regional centers. As for district towns, there is no partisan structure registered. What nomination can one talk about, if there is no partisan structure? We at the Central Election Cmmission advertise our activites and operation. We published methodological explanations on the amendements to the electoral laws. None of political parties has called to show interest in obtaining some literature in this regard.
I have a feeling you wish opposition parties to be stronger
Quite frankly, I am disappointed. If there is a political party, it must take part in elections. Political party has only one goal: to struggle for power. If a party does not take part in elections, it is rather dead than alive. And this is a bad signal for presidential election campaign. Parties do not take part in the presidential elections formally, but they shape the image of their leader. The upcoming electoral campaign will be a warm-up ahead of the presidential election campaign. I would like our political forces to warm up in a more active way.
Would it be interesting to you as a professional if there was a strong personality who could build a dangerous competition for the incumbent during the next elections?
Definitely, yes! It is always interesting to work with real politicians. They raise campaign to quite a high level and generate interest. They make elections more competitive.
Lying around your sofa and avoiding the political competition, it is only possible to criticize. It is totally likely that local administrations might make some errors. But parties now have a possibility of appealing the decisions taken by local administrations in court. I believe that all those amendments provide additional chances. Now it depends on parties whether they will be able to take use of these chances.
Do you expect international observers for local elections?
We have not invited international observers for the local poll. If there are some observers, they will be associated with some exchange programs only.
Will OSCE's Office for Democracy and Human Rights monitor how the amendments in electoral laws are going to work?
I think so. They will monitor through the OSCE office in Minsk. It is very possible they will meet representatives of political parties and the government. Behavior of this highly respected institute depends greatly on OSCE's position on Belarus.
Probably, there will be accusations of rigging the results of the poll. You personally will be accused agaim. How do you react?
I am just an appointed 'scapegoat'. I do not listen to accusations. I am confident that I performed honestly and fairly. Moreover, I have done a lot for political opponents to be able to take part in the electoral campaign. They accuse, but they are vey well aware that Yarmoshyna does not count votes.She just announces the results. I cannot fasify anything personally.
Are you going to join politics and teach how to win?
I do not know how to advertise myself, because elections imply self-advertising. Besides, I am a member of president's team. A team member does not take his or her own decision on how long this post should be occupied. Therefore, I will keep this post for as long as the president sees it necessary.
You don't believe that political parties will be able to stand out in the regions, do you?
Unfortunately, they are almost inexistent at the grassroot level in the regions. Perhaps, there are some cells in the regional centers. As for district towns, there is no partisan structure registered. What nomination can one talk about, if there is no partisan structure? We at the Central Election Cmmission advertise our activites and operation. We published methodological explanations on the amendements to the electoral laws. None of political parties has called to show interest in obtaining some literature in this regard.
I have a feeling you wish opposition parties to be stronger
Quite frankly, I am disappointed. If there is a political party, it must take part in elections. Political party has only one goal: to struggle for power. If a party does not take part in elections, it is rather dead than alive. And this is a bad signal for presidential election campaign. Parties do not take part in the presidential elections formally, but they shape the image of their leader. The upcoming electoral campaign will be a warm-up ahead of the presidential election campaign. I would like our political forces to warm up in a more active way.
Would it be interesting to you as a professional if there was a strong personality who could build a dangerous competition for the incumbent during the next elections?
Definitely, yes! It is always interesting to work with real politicians. They raise campaign to quite a high level and generate interest. They make elections more competitive.
