MINSK, 26 January (BelTA) – The electoral process in Belarus is open and fair, independent observer from the Kingdom of Sweden Bo Jonsson told journalists at the Central Election Commission Information Center, BelTA has learned.
“Your people are very open. We have visited a huge number of polling stations, and at each of them we were shown the entire voting process. I was pleasantly surprised that first-time voters (who have just turned 18) are given gifts - a book about the country's symbols, as well as a sweatshirt with the inscription 'This is my first vote'. There is no such openness in my country, our state definitely has something to learn from the Republic of Belarus,” Bo Jonsson said.
According to him, Sweden can also learn something from Belarus when it comes to border and customs control. “I would also like to add: I recall what the Western media say about Belarus, but here I see a completely different picture. Everything is not as the Western European media portray it,” the observer noted.
Bo Jonsson also visited the Public Election Observation Center. “I am amazed by the quality of training of its specialists. They are so professional that they can answer any question,” he emphasized.