Good conditions for people with disabilities and the elderly have been created at the polling stations - CIS observer
The international observer has been working as part of a group since morning. Its members visited more than 10 polling stations in Vitebsk today. "The polling stations have ramps, and young people, volunteers, and commission representatives are at the entrance, offering assistance and answering questions. Good conditions have been created for people with disabilities, and plus, almost all polling stations are located on the ground floor, making them accessible for elderly people too," said Ivan Kolpakov.
In the Vitebsk region, almost 80% of polling stations are equipped with elements of barrier-free environment, and most are located on the ground floors of buildings. For wheelchair users, elderly voters, and people who find it convenient to fill out ballots while seated due to their health condition, tables with screens have been set up. Volunteers assist wheelchair users.
According to the CIS observer's assessment, the voting is proceeding calmly. "We visited the opening of polling stations and the sealing of ballot boxes. We have not identified any violations in the organization of work or voting. Music is playing at the polling stations, and trade is organized. You can feel that people are coming as if to a celebration," added Ivan Kolpakov.
In the northern region, 768 polling stations opened in the morning, including 25 formed in sanatoriums, health resorts, rest homes, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations providing inpatient medical care, and one in a military unit. Approximately 855,000 people are included in the voter lists. Residents of the region need to elect 14 deputies to parliament.