676 polling stations have started operating in the Vitebsk region
In the Vitebsk region, 676 polling stations began operating today, as reported by Dmitry Khoma, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Election Commission.
"All precinct commissions have received ballots and are ready for the start of early voting. Selective monitoring of polling station readiness has been conducted up to this point. All stations are ready. On the unified voting day, 861 stationary transparent and semi-transparent ballot boxes will be used in the region, with 687 in the early voting period. The total number of ballots will exceed 2.9 million," he noted.
In the Vitebsk region, 693 polling stations have been established, 676 of which opened their doors today. The remaining are closed: they are located in sanatoriums and hospitals, and one is on the territory of a military unit.
"A significant feature of our region is its rather extensive territory and the largest number of settlements with a small population. Therefore, in some districts, we have a relatively high percentage of people voting at their place of stay (at home). Accordingly, we must organize transport for the delivery of members of precinct election commissions, plan routes, schemes, and logistics so as not to overlook a single voter and provide everyone with the opportunity to vote," emphasized the head of the regional election commission.
The number of polling stations has decreased overall, Dmitry Khoma clarified. For example, during the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution in 2022, there were 714 polling stations in the region, and today there are 693.
"Despite the decrease in the total number of polling stations, the covered territory remains unchanged, as does the number of settlements," he explained. "Naturally, the reduction in the number of polling stations and their optimization in rural areas increases the workload on individual stations."
In this regard, six district commissions previously appealed to the regional commission to utilize the provision in the Electoral Code and, in agreement with the Central Election Commission, increase the number of portable ballot boxes from three to five. The Gorodok, Lepel, Ushachi, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Senno regions, which traditionally have a relatively high percentage of home voters, received the corresponding permission. This measure will reduce the workload on each pair of working commission members.
"All precinct commissions have received ballots and are ready for the start of early voting. Selective monitoring of polling station readiness has been conducted up to this point. All stations are ready. On the unified voting day, 861 stationary transparent and semi-transparent ballot boxes will be used in the region, with 687 in the early voting period. The total number of ballots will exceed 2.9 million," he noted.
In the Vitebsk region, 693 polling stations have been established, 676 of which opened their doors today. The remaining are closed: they are located in sanatoriums and hospitals, and one is on the territory of a military unit.
"A significant feature of our region is its rather extensive territory and the largest number of settlements with a small population. Therefore, in some districts, we have a relatively high percentage of people voting at their place of stay (at home). Accordingly, we must organize transport for the delivery of members of precinct election commissions, plan routes, schemes, and logistics so as not to overlook a single voter and provide everyone with the opportunity to vote," emphasized the head of the regional election commission.
The number of polling stations has decreased overall, Dmitry Khoma clarified. For example, during the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution in 2022, there were 714 polling stations in the region, and today there are 693.
"Despite the decrease in the total number of polling stations, the covered territory remains unchanged, as does the number of settlements," he explained. "Naturally, the reduction in the number of polling stations and their optimization in rural areas increases the workload on individual stations."
In this regard, six district commissions previously appealed to the regional commission to utilize the provision in the Electoral Code and, in agreement with the Central Election Commission, increase the number of portable ballot boxes from three to five. The Gorodok, Lepel, Ushachi, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Senno regions, which traditionally have a relatively high percentage of home voters, received the corresponding permission. This measure will reduce the workload on each pair of working commission members.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by