MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) - Polling stations have opened for the parliamentary and local elections held on a single voting day on 25 February, BelTA has learned.
On a single voting day, Belarusians will elect 110 deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the eighth convocation and 12,514 deputies of local councils of deputies of the twenty-ninth convocation.
A total of 5,411 polling stations have been set up in the country, including 11 in military units and 215 in hospitals, sanatoriums, rest homes and other places of temporary stay. Polling stations will stay open until 20.00. According to the latest available data, 6,911,742 people are included in the voters’ lists.
Precinct commissions are provided with means of communication, office gear and equipment necessary for the organization of the voting process, legal and methodological literature. Posters with the information about candidates and the voting procedure have been posted in the premises of precinct commissions. Polling stations are located mainly on the ground floors that are, as a rule, barrier-free, and have the necessary signs. Volunteers are on duty at the polling stations to provide the necessary assistance to voters.
Ballots are issued to voters upon presentation of a passport, identification card, biometric passport, military ID card (for conscripts), service certificate of an employee of a state body (organization), and a driver's license. Voters can also cast their ballots by presenting a pensioner’s certificate, a certificate of a disabled person (with a photo), and a university or college student card. If a voter has made a mistake or spoiled the ballot while filling it out, he/she may apply to the precinct election commission and receive a new ballot paper. However, this right can only be exercised once.
Taking photos and making videos of the completed ballot is prohibited.
Together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, measures have been implemented to ensure security during the voting period. The buildings in which are hosting the polling stations are equipped with video surveillance systems, and panic buttons. February 19 Since, all polling stations have been guarded by police officers.
Elections of deputies are direct: deputies are elected directly by citizens. The term of office of deputies of the House of Representatives and local Councils of Deputies is 5 years.
