Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: No grounds to reschedule presidential election yet

MINSK, 31 March (BelTA) – There are no reasons yet to reschedule the presidential election taking into consideration the current developments in Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Chair of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Natalya Kochanova on 31 March, BelTA has learned.

“This matter remains on the agenda. We need not only to discuss the presidential election, but also to make arrangements for it. So far we have no reasons to reschedule it. Some people (either enemies or rivals) tell us to cancel it. Such things always ring alarm bells for me. As they told us in the Soviet times: if someone from abroad gives you some advice, do the opposite. I do not follow this principle, but it raises a red flag for me,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president added that he needs to consult with the Central Election Commission and determine the campaign period. “You are an experienced person. You did it in the capacity of the Belarus President Administration chief, therefore you will also have a say,” he noted.

After the meeting with the head of state, Natalya Kochanova told reporters that the timeframe of the election campaign will be determined after the matter is discussed with the Central Election Commission. “The election will be held in our country within the established deadline in line with the law. There is no rescheduling the election, that is for sure,” Natalya Kochanova said.

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