From: International Relations and Security Network (ISN) [Zurich] http://www.isn.ethz.ch/infoservice/sw/details.cfm?ID=10074
Some observers blocked from US polls Independent nongovernmental organizations and foreign diplomats will be scrutinizing activities in Florida, Ohio, and several other closely contested states during the Tuesday vote. But in many states, those observers will not be allowed inside the actual polling stations.
By Ron Synovitz for RFE/RL (02/11/04)
International observers have arrived in several US states for the presidential election on 2 November. Independent nongovernmental organizations and foreign diplomats will be scrutinizing activities in Florida, Ohio, and several other closely contested states. But in many states, those observers will not be allowed inside the actual polling stations. That task is reserved for official "monitors" - such as those the US State Department has invited from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The Belarusian Foreign Ministry says it has formally complained to the US ambassador in Minsk about Belarusian diplomats who have been banned from monitoring tomorrow's US presidential election. Deputy Foreign Minister Alyaksandr Sychow says the Belarusian Embassy in Washington applied for its diplomats to directly monitor polling stations in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. He says the applications were refused in all cases except Virginia, where the diplomats will be allowed inside polling stations in two out of 135 counties - and then, only then for a maximum of 10 minutes. ======================