The Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and National Referendums denied human rights activist Leanid Svetsik in consideration of his ten proposals on improving electoral procedures, ensure transparency of voting and counting of votes. And all the changes proposed by them, according to human rights activist allegedly do not require amendments to the Electoral Code of the country.

With years of experience as an observer of all stages of the electoral process, the CEC Leonid turned to the proposals which primarily concern the rights of observers. Namely, to provide observers to freely attend the organizational meetings of district and precinct election commissions and give them the right to conduct photo and video at all stages of the work of district and precinct election commissions, including during the vote count.

Mr. Svetik does not forget to voice request to the district commissions ensured the presence of observers during voting at home. He also asked to make a binding confirmation of their voter data at verification of voter lists and allow observers to carry out a visual check of the vote count stroke.

In addition, the human rights activist suggested to produce the ballot papers with three degrees of protection against forgery and use disposable collapsible boxes. Another of his proposal: to provide in the district and precinct election commissions the presence of the book of comments and suggestions.

Leonid Svetik considers their proposals fully implemented and that could significantly change the work of election commissions in the direction of transparency, increase the credibility of the voting process and the counting of votes. According to human rights activist expressed their suggestions are especially important for the observers so that they can fix the violations of the electoral legislation by all participants in the electoral process.

In response, the CEC chairman Lidia M. Yermoshina told human rights monitors that the inter-ministerial expert working group under the CEC, and this group has been developed for consideration by the head of state proposals on measures to improve the electoral process. Moreover, these measures can be adopted and applied in the election of deputies of the Parliament in autumn this year and without changes in legislation.

Lydia M. also reported that the proposed expert working group proposals are aimed at increasing the transparency of formation of election commissions, informing the public about the outcome of complaints on electoral disputes, the creation of conditions to monitor the election procedures.

In practice, this means that the human rights activist offers will not be taken into account in the organization of parliamentary elections by the CEC.

Leonid Svetik does not hide his disappointment by formal approach of the current leadership of the CEC to consider his proposals. Nevertheless, he hoped that in the near future will be formed, the Central Election Commission in its new composition and other guidance that can appreciate and accept his ideas on the improvement of the electoral legislation.