18 November, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. Long-term observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) have arrived in Belarus and will begin observing the presidential elections in all regions of the country from 19 November, the mission headquarters informed a BELTA correspondent. Forty people from 18 countries have arrived in Belarus. Among them are representatives from Russia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA. International observers will assess how the organisation and conduct of the elections comply with OSCE principles and international standards, as well as the country's legislation. "Observers will thoroughly study the pre-election campaign process, electoral legislation and its enforcement, the work of election commissions and state structures, and the processes for resolving emerging disputes," the mission headquarters noted. Long-term observation by OSCE representatives involves studying the socio-political situation in the country, electoral legislation and its application, monitoring media coverage of the election campaign, and overseeing the progress of the campaign. In accordance with Belarusian legislation, international observers have the right to attend meetings of election commissions at all levels, meet with presidential candidates and their proxies, and representatives of political parties and public associations. A few days before the elections, the arrival of about 400 short-term OSCE observers is expected in Belarus. They will monitor the early voting process, the vote count, and the determination of the overall results in the country.-0-

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