Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 15 February (BelTA) - Democratic elections are based on the opinion of voters and their right to expression, Chairperson of Belarus’ Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina told the media as she cast her early voting ballot in the elections to the Minsk City Council of Deputies of the 28th convocation, BelTA has learned.

According to the CEC head, the elections must be held even in the districts with one candidate. “In any case, the elections must be held. If more than 50% of the voters who come to the polls vote against this candidate, he will not be elected. Voters have the right to speak out,” Lidia Yermoshina.

The CEC head believes that the exclusion of the none of the above choice (there are such proposals) is a non-democratic measure. “Here, we need to take into account the opinion of the voters, not that of the OSCE,” Lidia Yermoshina said.

Commenting on the online calls to destroy ballot papers, the CEC head noted that it is an act against the elections, the electoral process which may result in administrative responsibility.

The local elections in Belarus are scheduled for 18 February 2018. Early voting is held from 13 to 17 February. A total of 5,620 polling stations opened on the first day of the early voting. This number will increase by 250 on the election day, 18 February. Polling stations will be opened from 10h00 to 19h00 with a lunch break between 14h00 and 16h00 through 17 February inclusively.