Kochanova: destructive forces had no chance to interfere in recent Presidential campaign in Belarus

During the recent Presidential campaign in Belarus, destructive forces had no chance to interfere in the process – as stated by Natalya Kochanova, the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic, at the IPA CIS Council meeting in St. Petersburg

“We have built a reliable system of protection from external influence, and Belarusians' immunity to any sort of provocations simply increases in each new political stage,” Ms. Kochanova stressed. “Of course, this has become a result of close interparliamentary co-operation as well. After all, every election campaign is a unique experience for organisers, participants and observers, whose authoritative opinions and assessments are also used to polish national legislation.”

The Chairperson of the Council of the Republic shared some figures: this year, about 44,000 national and almost 500 international observers from fifty-two countries observed the election in Belarus, and 800+ journalists (including 300 from abroad) covered the main political event.

"Missions from the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and the Pan-African Parliament monitored the political process at all its key stages: during the campaign and early voting periods, and on the main election day," Ms. Kochanova added. “The doors were open for observers countrywide.”