Calmly and without incident. How the election campaign went in the Vitebsk region
The election campaign in the Vitebsk region proceeded in accordance with electoral legislation and without incident. This was announced to journalists at a briefing by the Chairman of the Regional Election Commission, Dmitry Khoma.
"The Presidential elections in the Vitebsk region were held in accordance with the electoral legislation of Belarus. All stages were carried out in strict compliance. A huge amount of work was done by both local authorities and members of territorial and precinct election commissions. The atmosphere that prevailed during the early voting period and especially on the main voting day was festive and calm. Comfortable conditions were provided for members of the election commissions. Special words of gratitude go to the law enforcement sector and internal affairs bodies. Ambulance services, and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were on duty at all polling stations, which created a safe environment," emphasized Dmitry Khoma.
He noted that voters were also friendly during the voting. "No provocations or incidents occurred during early voting and on the main voting day, nor were there any gross violations. There were isolated cases of photographing ballots. No cases of ballots being removed or observers being expelled were recorded. I would like to note that more than 30 international observers worked in the region. They did not raise any objections," reported the Chairman of the Regional Election Commission.
Dmitry Khoma said that international observers, in addition to their main mission, also share their experience of electoral campaigns in their countries and draw positive experience from Belarus.
The Chairman of the Regional Election Commission informed that the forecast of a slightly lower turnout in the cities was confirmed. Among the most active districts was Dokshitsky, where over 94% of residents came to vote. Also, over 90% of voters participated in the elections in the Rossony, Beshenkovichi, and Sharkovshchina districts. "Turnout in rural areas is always high, and this is due to the clear work of commissions in organizing voting at the place of residence of voters," said Dmitry Khoma.
He recalled that changes in electoral legislation, particularly regarding the number of ballot boxes for home voting, were initiated, in part, by the Vitebsk region, which has a large spread of settlements with small populations. If previously three ballot boxes were allowed for this purpose, now thefalls to five. The region took advantage of this opportunity. Good weather also helped, although all services were prepared even for snowfall and icy conditions. "In Vitebsk, the number of voters at home on each polling station varied from 20 to 40 people, and in rural areas, in some districts, it exceeded 200 voters," noted the chairman of the regional election commission.
He also spoke about citizens' appeals regarding the elections. "On the main voting day, no appeals were received by our commission. This indicates that all citizens who applied were granted the right to vote at home," emphasized Dmitry Khoma.
"The Presidential elections in the Vitebsk region were held in accordance with the electoral legislation of Belarus. All stages were carried out in strict compliance. A huge amount of work was done by both local authorities and members of territorial and precinct election commissions. The atmosphere that prevailed during the early voting period and especially on the main voting day was festive and calm. Comfortable conditions were provided for members of the election commissions. Special words of gratitude go to the law enforcement sector and internal affairs bodies. Ambulance services, and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were on duty at all polling stations, which created a safe environment," emphasized Dmitry Khoma.
He noted that voters were also friendly during the voting. "No provocations or incidents occurred during early voting and on the main voting day, nor were there any gross violations. There were isolated cases of photographing ballots. No cases of ballots being removed or observers being expelled were recorded. I would like to note that more than 30 international observers worked in the region. They did not raise any objections," reported the Chairman of the Regional Election Commission.
Dmitry Khoma said that international observers, in addition to their main mission, also share their experience of electoral campaigns in their countries and draw positive experience from Belarus.
The Chairman of the Regional Election Commission informed that the forecast of a slightly lower turnout in the cities was confirmed. Among the most active districts was Dokshitsky, where over 94% of residents came to vote. Also, over 90% of voters participated in the elections in the Rossony, Beshenkovichi, and Sharkovshchina districts. "Turnout in rural areas is always high, and this is due to the clear work of commissions in organizing voting at the place of residence of voters," said Dmitry Khoma.
He recalled that changes in electoral legislation, particularly regarding the number of ballot boxes for home voting, were initiated, in part, by the Vitebsk region, which has a large spread of settlements with small populations. If previously three ballot boxes were allowed for this purpose, now thefalls to five. The region took advantage of this opportunity. Good weather also helped, although all services were prepared even for snowfall and icy conditions. "In Vitebsk, the number of voters at home on each polling station varied from 20 to 40 people, and in rural areas, in some districts, it exceeded 200 voters," noted the chairman of the regional election commission.
He also spoke about citizens' appeals regarding the elections. "On the main voting day, no appeals were received by our commission. This indicates that all citizens who applied were granted the right to vote at home," emphasized Dmitry Khoma.