Presidential election 2020 in Belarus

Lebedev: Early voting is popular with Belarusian voters

Sergei Lebedev

NESVIZH, 7 August (BelTA) - Belarusian voters are actively using the early voting opportunity, Sergei Lebedev, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary, head of the CIS observation mission at the presidential elections of the Republic of Belarus, said as he visited polling station No. 4 in the town of Nesvizh, BelTA has learned.

“There is a lot of criticism of early voting, but this form is used in many European countries, in the United States. It is very convenient. When you ask people why they come to vote early, many say that they are planning to visit families on the weekend. This form is acceptable and widespread. Our mission does not see anything wrong about it. Belarusian voters are actively using the early voting opportunity. If it is convenient then why not,’ Sergei Lebedev said.

The mission has a good impression of the organization of early voting, he continued. “Traditionally, polling stations are well-designed, all conditions are created so that people can come and vote in a calm way. Voter lists have been checked. We have seen any problems yet when people cannot find themselves on the lists or similar issues," he said.

Sergei Lebedev also hailed the organization of the presidential election in general. “We note that the current political race in Belarus is more tense than the previous ones. We view it as growing political activities of voters. There are also other reasons too. A lot of information is available. Wide opportunities have been created for the candidates to present their viewpoints and programs. All presidential candidates made speeches on TV. They were also provided with an opportunity to speak at public events. We do not see any obstacles to the campaigning work. Judging by today's picture, the right to vote is respected and secured by all participants in the election process,” the head of the mission said.

The CIS observation mission started its work at the presidential election in Belarus on 24 July. According to Sergei Lebedev, despite the coronavirus and absence of traditional air and transport communication between the states, citizens of eight out of 11 countries responded to the proposal to become observers. Some of them have already arrived. About 180 people in total are to be present as foreign observers in Belarus.

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