Presidential election 2015 in Belarus

MINSK, 10 July (BelTA) – Active preparations for this year’s presidential election are in progress in Belarusian consulates and embassies, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Guryanov when representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, heads of Belarusian diplomatic institutions abroad visited the WWII memorial Glory Mound on 10 July.

Alexander Guryanov said: “Preparations for this year’s presidential election in Belarusian consulates and embassies are now in their initial phase yet they are very intensive. On the first day of the annual seminar for heads of diplomatic missions and consular institutions of Belarus the diplomats met with Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina and discussed the most topical matters concerning the election. It is known already that there are plans to open 40 polling stations in embassies and consulates.”

According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, large-scale information work is in progress. Election commissions will be set up closer to the election date following the legally established procedure. The commissions will include not only officers of the Belarusian diplomatic missions abroad but also Belarusians that live abroad. “We expect good voter turnout in the countries where the Belarusian diaspora is strong. Judging from our experience our compatriots actively express their civic stance,” added Alexander Guryanov.

An annual seminar for heads of diplomatic missions and consular institutions of Belarus is scheduled to take place in Minsk on 8-17 July. The seminar is dedicated to the main avenues of operation of the diplomatic institutions in modern conditions. The visit of the World War Two memorial Glory Mound by representatives of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus as well as heads of diplomatic missions of Belarus was initiated by the primary trade union organization of the Ministry.