On 11 January a group of 35 Belarusian observers started their observation of the presidential elections in the Czech Republic. The mission was organized within the framework of “Election Observation: Theory and Practice” project implemented by Belarus Watch organization, in partnership with European Humanities University and Human Rights House in Vilnius. Previously the project’s participants observed elections both in Belarus, and in other European countries.The mission of the election observation in Czech Republic was comprised of representatives of Belarusian NGOs, political parties, students and faculty of EHU.
Observers of the “Election Observation: Theory and Practice” project monitored the voting process and the vote counting according to the national and international standards.
The mission highlighted high level of organization of the voting procedures, professionalism and preparedness of the members of the election commissions. Generally, Belarusian observers were welcomed by the members of the electoral commissions. Despite the indeterminacy of the observers’ status in Czech legislation, almost all participants of the project got access to the polling stations and all information they requested.
The mission also noted the high culture of the Czech voters, who in most cases have followed all the norms of the electoral lawVoting procedure using envelopes should be highly evaluated. This system, according to Belarusian observers, provides the best possibility to ensure the secrecy of voting.
The vote counting was quick and efficient, which indicates a high level of reliability of the electoral procedures.The pace of vote counting was comparable to the one that can be found during the elections in Belarus. Nevertheless, the results of the counting are beyond any doubts.
Observation mission noted a number of shortcomings, which, however, did not affect the results of the elections. Some remarks were made on the lack of a single system of ballot boxes sealing across the country, therefore the mission considered the process of ballot boxes sealing should be specified in the legislation. In some cases polling stations appeared to be overcrowded, what leaded to queues both at a station and outside of it. Some cases of open voting were noted: voters were putting ballots in voting envelopes outside the booths, which contradicts the requirement of the legislation. Generally, members of the commissions did not prevent such actions.
The polling stations were only rarely equipped for disabled people. Many of the stations were located not on the ground floor which made it hard for the elderly to access it.
***
The “Election Observation: Theory and Practice” project is implemented to give young Belarusians the opportunity to have an inside look at the political processes, learn the experience of independent observers and acquire practical skills through participation in election observation in neighboring countries.More than a hundred participants from previous missions of the “Election Observation: Theory and Practice” project also took part in the observation of the Belarusian elections in different years.
Related articles
“Gender literacy basics” presented in Vilnius
Belarusian citizens do not enjoy protection in the national courts and appeal to the UN Committee
Human rights defenders released the research on mass arrests after the elections on 19 December 2010
