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08 September 2016, 14:10

Lebedev: Early voting a widespread practice throughout the world

MOSCOW, 8 September (BelTA) - The practice of early voting is widespread throughout the world, CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev, head of the CIS observation mission at the parliamentary elections in Belarus, said while visiting poling station No.740 in the Belarusian Embassy in Moscow, BelTA learned from the press service of the diplomatic mission.

When asked about the need for early voting in Belarus, Sergei Lebedev stated: “Early voting is a widespread practice throughout the world. In some countries, citizens have a chance to vote even by mail. Each state has its own rules, chooses an acceptable form of voting. The electoral laws of any country need to be respected, provided universally recognized international norms are observed there. Judging by public surveys, early voting is very convenient for people. Many citizens of Belarus who cannot come to the polls on Election Day on Sunday for objective reasons, do it in advance. Thus, they contribute to a greater voter turnout.”

Sergei Lebedev studied the information stands at the polling station, talked to members of the district commission, and had a look at polling booths. The head of the CIS mission asked whether the Belarusian citizens who live in Russia were sufficiently informed about the elections. Sergei Lebedev got accredited as an observer at the polling station.

Belarus' Ambassador to Russia Igor Petrishenko stated that the voters were informed on the elections and the location of polling stations through Russian mass media, the Internet, and letters of information. Special programs were aired on TV.

According to the Ambassador, voting has been organized in Moscow, St Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Rostov-on-Don. On Election Day home voting will be organized for people unable to visit the polling station due to poor health or another good reason. Onsite voting will be held at the Belarus health resort in Sochi.

The head of the CIS Executive Committee stressed that the polling station in Moscow was organized in compliance with all necessary requirements. Good conditions were created for Belarusian citizens to vote. He added that the list of candidates at the polling station included five persons, which means voters have a good choice.

Sergei Lebedev also spoke about the principles of work of the CIS observation mission at the forthcoming elections. In his words, the CIS mission will fulfill its functions in line with the Belarusian laws and provide an objective assessment of the campaign. The CIS mission plans to visit all the polling stations set up in the Russian Federation.

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