01/10/2008 Political Affairs and Democracy
‘The conduct of the recent elections in Belarus have been yet another reason for concern’ commented today the PACE Rapporteur on the Situation in Belarus Mr Rigoni.
Although PACE did not send an election observation mission, Mr Rigoni was able to form his own first-hand opinion over the conduct of the elections, having observed them in his national capacity as Italian parliamentarian. ‘Unfortunately, another opportunity for democracy has been missed in Belarus. It is quite unbelievable that, out of 110 constituencies, not one single opposition candidate was able to get elected’.
Although taking note of some improvements, such as the participation of opposition representatives in electoral commissions, the registration of a higher number of opposition representatives as candidates, and a reduction of the proportion of voters using the system of early voting from from 31,5% in 2006 to 26,2%, Mr Rigoni regretted that these elections fell short of European standards. However, he also added that ‘despite this disappointing outcome, I continue to be in favour of dialogue with all the actors concerned’.