Belarusian parliamentary election, 2008

The parliamentary elections in Belarus were held in 2008 on 28 September 2008. A total of 263 candidates sought by one of the 110 seats in the House of Representatives. Were entitled to vote approximately seven million people. In a correct conduct of the election, the European Union, which had always refused since 1996 to recognize the elections in Belarus due to abuse and manipulation allegations promised a relaxing its sanctions against Belarus.

Candidates

Originally, 365 candidates were put forward for election. Of these, five attracted her candidacy back, 84 the establishment was denied. Of the rejected candidates turned 52 at the OSCE, eight of these were then approved the registration. The number of candidates was reduced again before the election. Of the remaining 263 candidates were about 70 from the opposition alliance United Democratic Forces. According to the Human Rights Initiative for Free Elections some signatories of the petitions for the opposition parties denied the authenticity of the signature for fear of losing their jobs.

Election process

The opposition complained of unfair conditions because their rallies were broken up by police and the free distribution of campaign materials had been hampered. Furthermore, students and workers were forced in state dormitories vocal gift. The electoral commission announced that before the election 25 percent of voters cast their votes. The urns used for this purpose should be left unguarded. After the polls closed, it came in Minsk on October Square protests of the opposition. One day after the election announced the Electoral Commission announced that no opposition candidate has made ​​it into parliament.

The election itself was controlled by 41 long-term and 300 short-term observers of the OSCE. On election day, a total of 449 OSCE observers in the election. 48 percent of the observed counts were assessed as bad or very bad. Overall, the election did not meet the requirements of the OSCE for a free and fair election. The head of the Russian Election Commission Vladimir Churov called the election, however, as "free expression of will of the Belarusian citizens."

Result

When selecting only pro-government deputies pulled into parliament. The Communist Party of Belarus won 6 seats and the Agrarian Party was given a seat in parliament. The turnout was 75.3 percent.