Central Electoral Commission not to democratise electoral process

Lidziya Yarmoshina, head of the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), responded to the suggestions on improving of elections, prepared by members of the campaign “For Free Elections,” initiated by the “For Freedom” movement.

The letter from the CEC head says the suggested by the campaign’s experts projects repeat the resolutions on clarifications to the electoral legislation, approved by the CEC earlier. Moreover, a number of proposals contain the regulations, which, according the CEC head, are new norms and require changes in the Electoral Code, that CEC has no right to do, being a “law enforcement agency.” What concerns the suggested by democratic politicians order of using mass media during the election campaigning, according to Lidziya Yarmoshyna, it won’t allow to realise the right of access to TV and radio for candidates, because the suggestion doesn’t provide a mechanism of air time distributing among candidates.

– There is much lies in Yarmoshyna’s letter. Ti is difficult to comment on. For example, why can’t members of commission sign voting papers? Where is a problem? What relation the Electoral Code had to it? We based on previous CEC regulations and wrote our principal additions. it is a general scheme. For example, we suggested to add the next sentence to the regulation on observation: “An observer has the right to observe the process of votes counting.” Why can’t they agree with it? – Viktar Karneenka, deputy head of the “For Freedom” movement wonders.

Viktar Karneenka disproved Lidziya Yarmoshyna’s words that the suggestions require changes in the Law.

– Our suggestions don’t require changes to the Electoral Code, as Yarmoshyna says. The CEC itself restricted the legislated rights of observers by its previous regulations. What concerns air time in electronic mass media. We offer to extend opportunities for candidates to appear on radio and TV, - Viktar Karneenka comments on the letter of the CEC head.

At the end of her address, Lidziya Yarmoshyna says the discussion between the CEC and initiator of the campaign ”For Free Elections” on questions of improving of electoral legislation practice is not needed. Moreover, rules of the Central Electoral Commission don’t provide holding of such events, according to Yarmoshyna. It means that the CEC refuses to discuss ways of electoral process democratisation.

In Viktar Karneenka’s view, the Belarusian administration doesn’t need any discussions. The authorities are not interested in democratisation of elections and officials are not going to make them meet the European standards.

Nevertheless, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the “For Freedom” movement, thinks the opposition should run even in such elections.