Belarus, Turkiye to strengthen interaction on ensuring democratic approaches to elections
Co-operation between Turkiye and Belarus to ensure democratic approaches to the election process will progress at a faster pace – as stated by the Chairman of the Supreme Election Council of Turkiye, Ahmet Yener, after signing a memorandum of co-operation between Belarus’ Central Election Commission and the Supreme Election Council of Turkiye
Mr. Yener noted that, thanks to the signed document, Belarus and Turkiye will intensify co-operation on issues such as improving electoral technologies, including in the context of the use of high and information technologies, as well as training and education of election commission personnel. “Our co-operation to ensure democratic approaches and the implementation of a democratic understanding of the conduct of elections will progress at a faster pace. The goals common to the two countries are to increase the turnout of young people at polling stations during election campaigns, and to ensure decent representation of women in various positions so that they express their opinions. We also strive to take all necessary measures to ensure that certain categories of voters, such as older people who are unable to work due to illness, can also participate in election campaigns,” he said.
The Chairman of the Supreme Election Council of Turkiye added that, despite some differences in the electoral systems of the two countries, work is underway to ensure that the will of the people is properly reflected. “In January 2025, representatives of our Supreme Election Council attended the Presidential election in the Republic of Belarus and established, while staying in the country, that the election was successful and democratic," he noted.
In turn, the Chairman of Belarus’ Central Election Commission, Igor Karpenko, stated that the signed document is the result of fruitful preliminary work on the legal formalisation of relations and aspirations of the two countries to deepen co-operation across the entire spectrum of the electoral agenda.
“I would like to emphasise that Belarus and Turkiye have developed really kind, trusting and mutually beneficial relations that cover most areas of life and are of a strategic nature. The tone in these relations is set by the heads of our states. Meetings of the Belarusian and Turkish colleagues during foreign observation events, international conferences and forums are also warm and friendly. We are co-operating constructively. The memorandum opens up new prospects for the exchange of information and mutual study of the experience of using modern electoral information technologies and equipment for conducting elections, interaction to improve the level of professional training of election organisers, and the legal culture of voters,” Mr. Karpenko said.
The bilateral meeting has taken place within the framework of the 2nd International Electoral Forum scheduled to be held in Minsk on October 8th-9th. In addition to the participation in business events, the Turkish delegation will also get acquainted with the rich historical and cultural heritage of Belarus.
