Belarus’ CEC Chairman on international observers’ conclusions and highest assessment of the election from the UK

According to international observers, the election in Belarus was democratic and open – as stated by Chairman of the Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko in his talk with journalists

Mr. Karpenko noted, “486 international observers worked in Belarus, and I want to say that, during the election observation period and after it, all these people admit that the process was democratic, open, and transparent. They could visit any polling station. No one restricted their communication with voters, and they used that right broadly. The international observers emphasised that there were quite a lot of media representatives, including at polling stations, and people could share their opinions openly and freely. I would like to emphasise that a large number of international observers indicates that the interest in our election was quite high, and that Belarus was open and accessible during the campaign.”

In addition, the CEC Chairman regards the imposition of sanctions by the United Kingdom against him as the highest assessment of the Central Election Commission’s activity. “I view this as the highest assessment of my work and the CEC activities in the conduct of the electoral process. We understand perfectly well that those who impose such sanctions are not interested in the process and whether it complies with national legislation: they are interested in the result. If the latter is the one they need, then they will assess it in a completely different way,” Mr. Karpenko noted.

“We hold the election for ourselves — for our country and our people. Belarus has chosen a sovereign path of development, and in my opinion, it has established itself as a sovereign state, and it intends to continue developing and pursuing an independent policy, despite the fact that we are a small country in terms of territory and population. Our people have their own interests as well. They do not have great geopolitical ambitions, but wish to live in peace, calmness and prosperity. It is no need to interfere in Belarus’ internal affairs, which the Presidential election is part of,” the Chairman of the Central Election Commission stated.