News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 14 November (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko supported the proposal to hold elections to local councils on 18 February 2018 during the working meeting with Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina on 14 November, BelTA has learned.

The meeting focused on the elections to local councils of the 28^th convocation. “For me the main thing is to determine the date, to discuss financing and the draft decree that should be signed. I think that mid-February, maybe even 18 February as we have discussed before will be an optimal date. February is a rather calm month,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the financing of the elections, the president pointed out the need to use funds in a rational way. In his opinion, money can be saved thanks to the rational approach to the organization of polling stations. “If a polling station is located in a school, this should be an exemplary polling station. This is very important. We will equip polling stations with ballot boxes and voting booths from the previous elections,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko also spoke about the wages of election commission members. “Wages of people involved in the elections are a very important thing,” he said.

“We will meet with you and the governors again. The Belarus President Administration was instructed to keep in touch and to help organize things. This is a political campaign, the Belarus President Administration should do its best, the Central Election Commission should organize the elections in accordance with the legislation: prepare voting papers, organize seminars, train heads of election commissions,” the president added.

The head of state emphasized that the government will create all conditions for holding the elections properly. “We will not conceal anything. Those who are ready to vote will do it,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “All branches of government will fulfill the requirements of the Central Election Commission as usual.”