Dmitry Khoma: any election campaign generates public interest, especially presidential elections
The campaign for the election of the President of the Republic of Belarus is approaching one of the most interesting and responsible moments: on the evening of August 9, at exactly eight o'clock, the polling stations will stop accepting voters and begin counting the votes cast for one or another presidential candidate. We discuss how our region has prepared for the most important socio-political campaign of the year with the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Commission for the Election of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Dmitry Khoma.
— Dmitry Leonidovich, despite the fact that the preparation and conduct of elections in our country is a well-established process that meets global democratic standards, each election campaign has its own nuances. In your opinion, what is the peculiarity of the current campaign?
— Yes, indeed, any election campaign arouses interest in society, especially the election of the Head of State. Initially, a large number of contenders expressed a desire to become presidential candidates in this campaign, but far from all of them confirmed the seriousness of their intentions. Five people continue the pre-election marathon. These are people of different political scales. The main task of the Vitebsk Regional Commission is to ensure, within its competence, the preparation and conduct of elections in the region in accordance with the law, so that the contenders for the highest state post have the opportunity to declare themselves, and voters can make a thoughtful decision in a calm and friendly atmosphere. Speaking about the peculiarities of the current campaign, it should be noted the high electoral activity and the serious work of the contenders' headquarters in collecting signatures by initiative groups in support of candidate nominations.
— And how would you assess the activity of the candidates themselves in our region during the pre-election campaign period?
— It is quite high, although varied — depending on the agitation tactics chosen by the candidates' headquarters. A number of candidates used radio and television airtime, meetings with voters at designated locations. In a word, agitation work is carried out in the region widely enough for us to make an informed decision during the vote.
— One of the important aspects of the campaign is verifying the authenticity of voter signatures in support of candidate nominations and ensuring the accuracy of data on the number of such signatures. How did the territorial commissions of the region perform here?
— Conscientiously, objectively, competently. There can be no talk of any biased attitude on the part of the members of district, city, and regional election commissions. Judge for yourselves. A broad socio-political spectrum is represented in the territorial commissions formed in the Vitebsk region. As, by the way, in the precinct commissions. These are people of different ages, different political views, but equally responsible, aware of the importance of their work. The territorial commissions formed in the Vitebsk region include 338 people out of 344 candidates – that is, practically everyone who was nominated by political parties, other public associations, labor collectives, and citizens by collecting signatures. The same applies to precinct commissions – 9217 people out of 9800 candidates, that is, more than 90 percent of the total number of those nominated for precinct commissions. As for verifying the authenticity of voters' signatures, there is a clear procedure established by the Electoral Code. For example, signatures are deemed unreliable if the voter's data is entered in a non-handwritten manner or with a pencil, if the date of the signature is not made by hand, if it is the signature of a person who does not have the right to vote. All signatures on the signature sheet are deemed unreliable if they were collected not by a member of the initiative group, if the signature sheet is not certified by a member of the initiative group, or if it is certified by a member of the initiative group who did not collect the signatures. And so on. Much depended on the signature collectors themselves. It cannot be said that all of them were maximally precise and accurate. The regional commission, in turn, checked the work of the district and city commissions and summarized the results of signature collection for nomination. I can confidently say that the commission members showed maximum objectivity.
— We are talking to you on the eve of early voting. How have the precinct commissions prepared to receive voters?
— Readiness is one hundred percent. Members of precinct election commissions have carried out serious work to clarify the lists of citizens eligible to participate in the voting. Since July 24, such lists have been presented at the polling stations so that voters can familiarize themselves with them if they wish. Early voting will take place at 729 polling stations. In sanatoriums, health resorts, rest homes, healthcare organizations, and military units, 21 polling stations have been established where voting will be held only on election day, August 9. As before, the principles of a barrier-free environment for people with disabilities are being observed. Of course, special attention has been paid to implementing the recommendations of the Ministry of Health regarding epidemiological safety. Spacious premises have been selected for the polling stations, which allows avoiding overcrowding. Commission members will be attentive and friendly to voters, as during past election campaigns. It is in the traditions of our people to perceive election day as a holiday. August 9 will be no exception: concerts will be held at most polling stations, and trade will be available.
— Dmitry Leonidovich, please finish the sentence: "I will vote because..."
— ...it is my moral duty and the natural need of a citizen of my country to make a considered choice. I will definitely vote because I am sure that a lot depends on my vote, as well as on the vote of all voters. Residents of the Vitebsk region have always been distinguished by their conscientiousness, indifference to the fate of the country, and active participation in voting during past election campaigns. I am sure that this will be the case this time.