Election Observation

The institution of election observation in the Republic of Belarus is established at the legislative level and serves as an important instrument for ensuring transparency and openness of the electoral process. Election observation may be carried out by both national and foreign (international) observers, whose legal status and powers are regulated by the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus.

The range of entities authorized to nominate national observers is defined by law. These include political parties, public associations, labor collectives of organizations, as well as citizens acting through the submission of a collective application. The legislation guarantees political parties the right to conduct observation regardless of whether they have registered candidates.

Observers from foreign states and international organizations are invited to the Republic of Belarus by the President of the Republic of Belarus, the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, the chambers of the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Central Election Commission. International observation is aimed at supporting universally recognized principles for the organization of democratic elections and is carried out on the basis of objectivity, political neutrality, and non-interference in the internal affairs of the state.

National observers are accredited by the relevant election commissions, while foreign (international) observers are accredited by the Central Election Commission.

Observers have the right to attend commission meetings, be present at polling stations, monitor the conduct of electoral procedures, the voting process, and the counting of votes, thereby ensuring transparency at all stages of the campaign. At the same time, the law requires observers to carry out their activities without interfering in the work of commissions and without engaging in actions that violate the secrecy of the vote or hinder citizens in exercising their right to vote.