MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – The next presidential election in Belarus will be held on 30 August 2020 at the latest. Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina told media after Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko delivered his address to the nation and the parliament on 19 April, BelTA has learned.
Lidia Yermoshina drew attention to the two election campaigns Belarus will have – the parliamentary elections and the presidential election. In his address to the nation and the parliament Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned the period for the parliamentary elections, which will take place in 2019. The head of state noted that 7 November is a good date for the parliamentary elections. He said: “I see it will be a Thursday. [Elections] in Belarus are usually held on Sundays. We should take a look at how the idea lives up to the labor laws and whether it can be done on a public holiday instead of only weekends.”
Lidia Yermoshina said: “I think it is an interesting idea.” She also noted that undoubtedly the election campaign will proceed in line with the effective election laws.
In his address to the nation and the parliament the head of state stressed that the presidential election will proceed in line with the Constitution. “The Constitution requires that [a presidential election] has to happen at least two months before the term of office expires. In other words, 30 August 2020 is the last day that fits,” Lidia Yermoshina said.
Sharing her impressions of Aleksandr Lukashenko's address to the nation and the parliament, Lidia Yermoshina noted it was captivating. “And the most important thing is that I've received concrete answers to the questions I was interested in,” she remarked.
Speaking about the forthcoming election campaigns, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “We are not going to conform to some advantageous factors or some acceptable timing. The presidential election is supposed to happen in 2020. And it will happen in 2020 whatever happens in our country. We are not going to toy with the nation, arranging some political games to suit one person. The presidential election will take place in strict compliance with the law and in the time period set by the Constitution.”
