RESOLUTION of the scientific-practical conference “Legal aspects of electoral campaign into local Deputy Soviets in the Republic of Belarus”

We, participants of the scientific-practical conference “Legal aspects of electoral campaign into local Deputy Soviets in the Republic of Belarus”, having analyzed the experience of last electoral campaigns, taking into account the discussion, initiated by pubic organizations and political parties of the country, conclude that there exists the need for further democratization of the electoral process and development of the electoral legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

We also take into account the fact that the expediency of changes in the electoral legislation is reflected in resolutions of international missions – BDIHR/OSCE and Association of election organizers of Central and Eastern Europe that monitored the elections of 2000 – 2001 in the Republic of Belarus. Besides, the Coordinative Board of oppositional political parties has worked out the Program of minimal changes in the Electoral code of the Republic of Belarus.

We, participants of the scientific-practical conference “Legal aspects of electoral campaign into local Deputy Soviets in the Republic of Belarus” draw attention of deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and representatives of other State bodies that it is necessary to introduce changes and additions to the present electoral legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

We apply to the Central commission of the Republic of Belarus on holding elections and republican referenda asking to keep to the norms of the Electoral code that regulate the order of the votes calculation, agitation for candidates, forming of electoral commissions, to follow the principle of publicity and clearness of the electoral process.

We call members of Presidiums of all Deputy Soviets and their executive committees who are given the right to have their representatives in electoral commissions of different levels to respect norms of the Electoral code.

Strict compliance with the acting norms of the Electoral code and introduction of changes in the electoral legislation will contribute to consolidation of Belarusian society and will provide an additional guarantee of confession that our elections meet international standards and the elected authorities are legitimate.

Adopted by the scientific-practical conference on November 12, 2002