Belarus parliament elections

MINSK, 5 July (BelTA) – The government is interested in a wide involvement of the society in the country’s election campaign, Deputy Head of the Belarus President’s Administration Igor Buzovsky told media after a roundtable session hosted by the Belaruskaya Dumka magazine at BelTA’s press center on 4 July.

Igor Buzovsky stressed that “the society is interested in the parliament consisting of people, well-trained in legal, political, economic and other sectors.” High professionalism is also required from those who is going to work in election commissions and who will observe the elections, the Deputy Head of the Belarus President’s Administration added.

The roundtable meeting discussed the results of the formation of district election commissions. According to Igor Buzovsky, it was important to hear the opinion of professionals who know the details of the process and the situation on the ground. He stressed that some opposition parties complained about the insufficient number of their representatives in district commissions. However, everything was made clear in the course of the meeting which was attended by deputy chairpersons of oblast executive committees and experts. Objective reasons are behind the matter: for example, low activity of the authorities’ opponents (in Minsk only four persons out of opposition have been nominated in 20 constituencies), simple carelessness, errors in document filing, submission of documents without respect to deadlines.

“The stable situation in the state will allow the election campaign to be held at a high professional and organizational level, in strict compliance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and in the interests of the citizens of our country,” stressed the Deputy Head of the Belarus President’s Administration.

Igor Buzovsky believes that the government's openness based on strict observance of the country’s national interests and the efficient election system of Belarus will help develop a normal constructive dialogue with international partners, including the OSCE/ODIHR, taking into account the recommendations made after the presidential election in 2015. “We sincerely hope that we will be able to find common ground regardless today’s criticism,” said the Deputy Head of the Belarus President’s Administration.

Igor Buzovsky noted that the ongoing parliamentary election campaign proceeds in line with the people’s will voiced at the 5^th Belarusian People’s Congress.