Election: Round-the-clock police surveillance for polling stations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs held a meeting with representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) who arrived in Minsk to observe the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belarus, reports the press office of the Ministry.

Dzmitry Kurian, head of the public safety department at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, told the ODHIR delegation that the polling stations would be put under round-the-clock police surveillance since the moment when ballot papers were delivered to the stations.

The police officials also stressed that safety would be ensured for foreign observers during the election.

"From our side, we expect from foreign observers a responsible and constructive approach in their work. We also hope that foreign missions and individual observers will comply with the laws of Belarus," Kurian emphasized.

The presence of the police at polling stations does not necessarily mean that manipulations with ballot papers are ruled out. For example, during the 2008 parliamentary elections, Police Col. Mikalai Kazlou spotted violations with ballot papers. However, he was dismissed from the police force while his subordinates who had ignored his orders were soon promoted to the higher ranks and positions. 

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