A. Lukashenko: parliamentary elections must be held openly, freely and in a competitive struggle

June 8, Minsk /BELTA/. The upcoming parliamentary elections in Belarus must be held openly, freely, and competitively. This was stated on June 8 by the head of state Alexander Lukashenko during a working meeting with Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus for Elections and Republican Referendums Lidiya Yermoshina, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. Alexander Lukashenko recalled that he had already expressed his opinion on holding the upcoming election campaign in his Address to the Belarusian people and parliament. He stressed that the elections must be held openly, freely, and competitively. "I still believe that we should not adapt to anyone this year. You have already seen from our previous similar events that we will not receive any gratitude for it. And we don't need any 'gratitude' from anyone. We need to focus on our own legislation and Constitution," the head of state emphasized. "We are holding parliamentary elections, like others, for ourselves, for our state, and the people must determine who will work in our parliament through fair and competitive struggle." According to Lidiya Yermoshina, the electoral legislation will not be changed before the parliamentary elections, because, firstly, it is impossible due to the deadlines, and secondly, such an approach fully complies with the OSCE recommendations on the undesirability of reforms in this area within a year before the start of the election campaign. "In January 2010, amendments were made to the electoral legislation, which significantly democratized the electoral process in our country. This entire procedure was carried out in accordance with the OSCE recommendations," said the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission. -0-