International observers to be accredited for Belarus’ local elections on 19-30 April

International observers will be accredited to monitor the elections to the local Councils of Deputies of Belarus on 19-30 April. The relevant decision was made at a session of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus on 15 April, BelTA has learnt.

According to CEC Chairperson Lydia Yermoshina, honoring its commitments to the OSCE, the Republic of Belarus invites international observers to monitor general elections that include presidential and parliamentary elections. “Usually Belarus does not invite international observers for local elections, but foreign diplomats accredited in the Republic of Belarus have an opportunity to monitor the elections. This is a goodwill gesture, no official invitations are sent. The Foreign Ministry of Belarus distributes the relevant notes among the embassies and these notes are an invitation for diplomats who wish to monitor the elections,” Lydia Yermoshina said.

The Central Election Commission of Belarus will accredit foreign diplomats as international observers from 19 to 30 April.

According to Lydia Yermoshina, the CEC received applications from 24 embassies for 50 persons. The longest list was submitted by the US embassy (five persons); the embassies of Sweden and Lithuania put forward 4 persons each.