MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) – The elections of delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress are transparent and democratic, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko told reporters, BelTA has learned.
“Everything is proceeding in a democratic way. The elections are extensively covered by the press. In my opinion, this process is quite public,” said Igor Karpenko.
“Civil society organizations elect delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress at their congresses, while regional councils of deputies elect them at their sessions. It is worth mentioning that 60 members of the Minsk City Council of Deputies will automatically become delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress, because Minsk does not have councils of deputies of other levels. Thus, 290 people will be elected from the regions and 400 people will be elected by civil society organizations. In line with the law, the president of the Republic of Belarus, the government, the heads of the regional, district and city executive committees, and judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court will also be the delegates of the Belarusian People’s Congress. Thus, the total number of the delegates stipulated by the law is 1,200 people. We think that all the delegates will be elected before the first meeting of the congress begins,” the CEC chairman said.
Speaking about the nomination of delegates by civil society organizations, Igor Karpenko emphasized that the work with these organizations had been ongoing for several months. “Special guidelines were issued for entities that are entitled to elect delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress. We held a number of meetings and seminars for them, including at the Central Election Commission,” he added.
“Everything is proceeding in a democratic way. The elections are extensively covered by the press. In my opinion, this process is quite public,” said Igor Karpenko.
“Civil society organizations elect delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress at their congresses, while regional councils of deputies elect them at their sessions. It is worth mentioning that 60 members of the Minsk City Council of Deputies will automatically become delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress, because Minsk does not have councils of deputies of other levels. Thus, 290 people will be elected from the regions and 400 people will be elected by civil society organizations. In line with the law, the president of the Republic of Belarus, the government, the heads of the regional, district and city executive committees, and judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court will also be the delegates of the Belarusian People’s Congress. Thus, the total number of the delegates stipulated by the law is 1,200 people. We think that all the delegates will be elected before the first meeting of the congress begins,” the CEC chairman said.
Speaking about the nomination of delegates by civil society organizations, Igor Karpenko emphasized that the work with these organizations had been ongoing for several months. “Special guidelines were issued for entities that are entitled to elect delegates to the Belarusian People’s Congress. We held a number of meetings and seminars for them, including at the Central Election Commission,” he added.
