MINSK, 22 August 2012 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the parliamentary elections to be held in Belarus on 23 September.

The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the Belarusian authorities. As a participating State of the OSCE, Belarus has committed itself to invite ODIHR to observe its elections.

The mission is led by Antonio Milošoski and consists of 11 international experts based in Minsk and 36 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 270 short-term observers to monitor election-day proceedings and the counting process.

Observers will assess these elections for compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including the commitments agreed to by all the OSCE participating States, as well as national legislation. The mission will analyse the legislative framework and its implementation and will follow campaign activities, media coverage, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, and the resolution of election disputes.

As part of the observation process, the mission will meet with relevant authorities, candidates, political parties, the judiciary, civil society and the media.

For election-day observation, the ODIHR election observation mission will also join efforts with a delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. .

Short-term observers arriving for election day will be deployed in teams of two throughout the country to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the elections.

ODIHR will issue a final report about two months after the end of the electoral process.