Election workshop to take place in Minsk

MINSK, 19 September 2003 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Office in Minsk, together with the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus, will host an international workshop devoted to International Standards for Democratic Elections and Election Law Reform on Monday, 22 September.

Broad participation is expected from Belarusian election officials, political parties and civil society representatives. Experts from Finland, Russia and Ukraine will give an overview of international election standards and commitments and present case studies regarding reform of electoral frameworks.

"I am pleased that the OSCE can contribute in this way to the election process in Belarus, which remains one of the key political issues for local parties as well as for many international organizations", said the Head of the OSCE Office in Minsk, Ambassador Eberhard Heyken.

The seminar aims at facilitating an open discussion on possible reform of the Belarusian Election Law and following up on recommendations given by OSCE/ODIHR after the elections in 2000 and 2001.