Opinions & Interviews

Belarusians promised orderly, well-organized parliamentary elections

MINSK, 17 May (BelTA) – The forthcoming parliamentary elections is just another election campaign in Belarus and will be smooth, calm and well organized as always, Head of the Belarus President Administration Natalya Kochanova told reporters following the meeting with the president to discuss the forthcoming elections to the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly on 17 May, BelTA informs.

When asked how the forthcoming election campaign will differ from the previous ones, Natalia Kochanova noted that she does not expect any drastic changes in the organization and conduct of the elections. “I would not say that it [the election campaign] will be any different. In our country election campaigns are always held in a very organized and smooth way,” she said.

“We know very well what we should do; we are well aware of the objectives the state has set for us. Everything should be done in the interests of people. People are at the heart of everything we do. Fair treatment of the public is a must. The domestic policy has always been people-oriented. The state policy is designed to improve the wellbeing of our people,” Natalia Kochanova said.

In her words, the meeting with the head of state focused on organizational matters that will ensure integrity and transparency of the elections and a proactive attitude to the election campaign. The president set tasks for local authorities.

Local authorities have a lot of work to do. They will set up election commissions of all levels, including precinct and territorial election commissions. “Many people will be involved. In order to avoid confusion and incidents while conducting such a large-scale event, a lot of preparatory work should be done. Therefore, organizational matters were in focus of the meeting,” Natalia Kochanova said.

Another topic discussed at the meeting dealt with requirements to those who will run for the parliament. Attending the meeting were representatives of public associations. They were encouraged to nominate professionals with an active civil stance to the parliament in order to represent the interests of their voters, labor collectives. “The parliament is a special body that makes laws and represents various regions of the country,” Natalia Kochanova said.

Taking part in the meeting were also Head of the Belarus President Property Management Directorate Viktor Sheiman, Vice Chairperson of the Council of the Republic Marianna Shchetkina, governors and aides to the president in the regions and the city of Minsk, Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Mikhail Orda, heads of public associations, including the BRSM Youth Union, Belaya Rus and the Belarusian Public Association of Veterans.

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