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Meeting with the participation of the President on the issues related
to the conduct of the parliamentary elections
(President’s press-service information)
Parliamentary elections in Belarus should be open and democratic as much as
possible and absolutely transparent. The principles of strict compliance with
the legislation by all election process participants, and ensuring order, social
and political stability should be regarded as of paramount importance, said
President Alexander Lukashenko on July 10 at the meeting on the issues related
to the conduct of the parliamentary elections.
The necessary acts defining the procedure of the electoral campaign to the House
of Representatives of the National Assembly in conformity with the international
standards have been adopted in Belarus. The date of the elections has been set
for September 28.
The President emphasized that the Parliamentary elections should be held
strictly in accordance with the Constitution and legislation of Belarus which,
according to him, both provide for democracy and transparency.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that it is the people of Belarus who will determine
those who will work in the Parliament, therefore elections should be held
without paying to much attention to what thinks about them either West or East.
"It should be kept in mind that elections are being held not for the West or the
East but for us, for our country, for our people", - said the Head of State.
"Our people should decide on who will be in the Parliament, and they should not
be deprived of that right and be humiliated thereby".
In the President’s opinion, there are no guarantees that even if elections are
ideal there will be no reproaches from the West. "But still we have to do it for
ourselves", - underlined the President addressing the participants of the
meeting.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized in particular the necessity to ensure the equal
status for all parliamentary candidates.
"All the candidates should be provided with equal access to mass media so that
no one could blame us afterwards that we have created favorable conditions for
some candidates and unfavorable for the others. The so-called opposition is
waiting now for the authorities to start applying some “pressure”, because there
is no chance they will get through themselves. After all, they will have to
explain to their sponsors why they have not succeeded. People will vote them
down anyway. But you must create equal conditions for all", - said the Head of
State.
The President underlined the importance of ensuring broad access of candidates
to the electorate. "People are not stupid, they will sort it out themselves. In
no case we should struggle with a sort of ephemeral opposition. Any
representative of opposition should answer to the people one question – what
does he/she do for living. Our so-called "opposition activists" who are craving
for power, do not work anywhere, but they live better than anyone in the
Republic. Yet if someone is working, knows how to work, I’m confident that the
people will vote for him", - noted Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State also urged not to stir up atmosphere in the society and not to
exert any pressure either on parliamentary candidates or the electorate.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that the election coordinating
body in Belarus was the Central Electoral Commission and that no one will be
allowed to interfere in its work – neither the Presidential Administration nor
the Government. At the same time access to the information in the CEC will be
secured for all willing to do so: both for the parties and other structures,
including the so-called opposition ones, and to the citizens.
According to the Head of State, no one will hamper the work of the international
observers provided the latter abide by the laws. "It is not forbidden to anyone
to observe, watch, put questions, advice and criticize, but it will not be
permitted to interfere into the electoral process, thereby violating the law.
The order at the polling stations during this period of time should be ideal", -
warned the President.
In the course of the meeting all the aspects of organization and holding of the
elections were discussed in detail, concrete instructions were given.