International observers on early elections in Orsha: a warm and homely atmosphere prevails at the polling stations
A warm atmosphere, the help of volunteers, and a very convenient polling station schedule are the features of the election campaign during early voting that were noted by international observers from the CIS mission who visited the polling stations in Orsha.
Olga Kremskaya, who represents the CIS observer mission, is attending her third presidential election in Belarus. In Orsha, she visited polling station No. 12 at secondary school No. 16. "It's nice to meet familiar people, as if you're returning to a place where you've always been expected. Students are volunteering, and it's immediately clear that if an elderly person or a wheelchair user comes, they will immediately help them, escort them to the polling station, and show them everything. It is very important that the voter, upon arriving at the polling station, finds themselves in a warm, friendly, almost home-like atmosphere. This is worth a lot. Everything is very well organized at the polling station, the election commission members are experienced, they know and understand everything. It's nice to see that the same enthusiasm that was present in previous electoral campaigns has been preserved here," she shared.
Olga Kremskaya also noted,that, according to her observations, at the polling stations she managed to visit, everything is proceeding calmly, smoothly, and without fuss. "People come to vote in a good mood, smiling. And the election commission members are just as friendly. And everyone understands that they are doing a good deed together," the international observer emphasized.
Her colleague from the CIS observer mission, Alim Dzhaksybekov, said that he is not in Belarus for the first time either; he has attended other electoral campaigns and has something to compare with. "I think it's great that early voting is being held. In the main"Not everyone has the opportunity to come to the polling station and cast their vote for a presidential candidate on the main voting day – some are working, some have other plans. During early voting, you can come at a convenient time, and the polling station operating hours are flexible. I believe this experience is worthy of adoption. It would be right to consider its application in a broader scope," he expressed his opinion.
Alim Dzhaksybekov stated that at all polling stations he visited, he did not notice any violations, and the entire procedure is being conducted transparently and openly. "In Belarus, all election campaigns are conducted at a very high level. People go to vote with great pleasure, with a great desire to fulfill their civic duty," noted the international observer.
Olga Kremskaya, who represents the CIS observer mission, is attending her third presidential election in Belarus. In Orsha, she visited polling station No. 12 at secondary school No. 16. "It's nice to meet familiar people, as if you're returning to a place where you've always been expected. Students are volunteering, and it's immediately clear that if an elderly person or a wheelchair user comes, they will immediately help them, escort them to the polling station, and show them everything. It is very important that the voter, upon arriving at the polling station, finds themselves in a warm, friendly, almost home-like atmosphere. This is worth a lot. Everything is very well organized at the polling station, the election commission members are experienced, they know and understand everything. It's nice to see that the same enthusiasm that was present in previous electoral campaigns has been preserved here," she shared.
Olga Kremskaya also noted,that, according to her observations, at the polling stations she managed to visit, everything is proceeding calmly, smoothly, and without fuss. "People come to vote in a good mood, smiling. And the election commission members are just as friendly. And everyone understands that they are doing a good deed together," the international observer emphasized.
Her colleague from the CIS observer mission, Alim Dzhaksybekov, said that he is not in Belarus for the first time either; he has attended other electoral campaigns and has something to compare with. "I think it's great that early voting is being held. In the main"Not everyone has the opportunity to come to the polling station and cast their vote for a presidential candidate on the main voting day – some are working, some have other plans. During early voting, you can come at a convenient time, and the polling station operating hours are flexible. I believe this experience is worthy of adoption. It would be right to consider its application in a broader scope," he expressed his opinion.
Alim Dzhaksybekov stated that at all polling stations he visited, he did not notice any violations, and the entire procedure is being conducted transparently and openly. "In Belarus, all election campaigns are conducted at a very high level. People go to vote with great pleasure, with a great desire to fulfill their civic duty," noted the international observer.
He also emphasized that everything is well organized at the polling stations, an accessible environment has been created for people with disabilities, and special stencils and magnifying glasses have been prepared for people with visual impairments, which are issued upon request. "We also note the high readiness of people for home voting. There are citizens who, due to their health condition, cannot come to the polling station at all, and voting boxes are ready for them. Volunteers and members of the election commission have been instructed on how to act. We will see how this will proceed on the main voting day," said Alim Dzhaksybekov, adding that on the main voting day he will visit polling stations in Polotsk.