Belarus parliament elections

MINSK, 23 June (BelTA) – The introduction of digital signatures for every Belarusian by 2020 will greatly simplify the voting process outside the country. The statement was made by Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina on 23 June, BelTA has learned. Earlier Lidia Yermoshina had taken part in the fifth Belarusian People’s Congress.

Lidia Yermoshina drew attention to the part of the 2016-2020 Belarus social and economic development program that stipulates the introduction of digital signatures for every citizen. According to the head of the Belarusian election organization agency, the ability of Belarusians, who live abroad, to cast votes by email directly depends on the availability of digital signatures.

“Once digital signatures are available, we could amend the law and allow people to email their votes instead of arranging polling stations abroad,” said Lidia Yermoshina.

Earlier Lidia Yermoshina was quoted as saying that as part of the vote by email process it is important to identify voters and preserve the secrecy of their votes. “If the idea is implemented, I think the number of citizens, who vote abroad, will rise. For now their number is insignificant,” the official noted.

At present the Belarusians, who live abroad, can vote at polling stations organized by diplomatic missions. For instance, 49 polling stations of the kind were arranged outside the country as part of the campaign to elect the Belarus president in 2015.