Country:
Belarus
Organization:
Belarusian Helsinki Committee
Year:
2015
Election Type:
Presidential
Recommending Organization:
Coalition of organizations
Primary Thematic Area:
Election administration
Subtopic of primary thematic area:
Composition and appointment
Recommendation:
The Electoral Code must be supplied with the provision that would ensure the presence of representatives of political parties in election commissions, as well as a pluralistic composition of commissions. It is necessary to ensure the right of the political parties that take part in the electoral campaign, including the presidential electoral campaign, to delegate one representative to each territorial, constituency and polling station electoral commission. The local executive bodies need to be entitled to form the commissions of other nominees for the seats in the election commission only in case none of the political parties use this right. By analogy, the primary right to nominate their representatives to election commissions must belong to candidates for president. Moreover, the criteria for the choice of members to election commissions need to be legally defined (nomination by political parties, education, other professional experience) with the aim to decrease the opportunities for an arbitrary approach in the formation of the commissions and provide the opportunities for court review during the consideration of relevant complaints.
Action required:
Legal change
Degree of Recommendation's Priority / Urgency / Relevance:
High
Body / Institution Responsible for Implementation:
Parliament
Implementation Status:
Not implemented