Head of OSCE observation mission to arrive in Minsk

• 7.08.2008, 10:43

Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, head of the long-term election observation mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), will come to Minsk on August 11, ODIHR Spokesman Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher told BelaPAN.

Mr. Ahrens will arrive together with the main team of election, political, and media experts, Mr. Eshenbecher said.

The mission is expected to hold a news conference on August 11.

On the same day, Mr. Ahrens is scheduled to meet with members of the central election commission. Mikalay Lazavik, secretary of the central election commission, has approved of Mr. Ahrens' appointment as head of the mission, saying that "this person is a major expert in electoral law."

Mr. Ahrens led the OSCE observation mission for Belarus’ 2006 presidential campaign.

About 300 CIS and 300 OSCE observers are expected to monitor the first round of the elections for the House of Representatives, which has been set for September 28.