According to preliminary estimates, the composition of the parliamentary corps from the Vitebsk region has been renewed by two-thirds
The personal composition of the deputy corps, which will represent the interests of the residents of Vitebsk region in the sixth convocation of the lower house of parliament, has been updated by about two-thirds. How confident a victory was achieved by both newcomers to the House of Representatives and experienced legislators will become known after the publication of the final results.
The current campaign was conducted according to adjusted rules, the most important of which were aimed at increasing the transparency of vote counting and simplifying the procedure for summing up the results.
For the first time, the campaign was conducted according to the principle of relative majority, when elections are considered valid with a voter turnout of more than 50%, and the candidate who received a simple majority of votes is the winner.
Voters of Vitebsk region traditionally responsibly engaged in the voting process. As a result, according to preliminary data, the turnout was almost 80% (this is at the level of the 2012 parliamentary campaign), including 34.56% of citizens made their choice early. Moreover, by 4:00 PM on September 11, elections were recognized as valid in all constituencies of the northern region. Judging by the information from the Central Election Commission, Vitebsk region has maintained its image as the most electorally active region in Belarus.
The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, voted on September 11 at polling station No. 47 in the House of Culture of the Academy of Veterinary Medicine. He was among the first voters who came to the polling station on Sunday morning. In the voting booth, the head of the region lingered for a moment, after which, under the flashes of cameras, he dropped the ballot into the transparent urn. In an interview with journalists, Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized the importance of the parliamentary
campaigns, because our future largely depends on the choice we make today.According to the head of the region, the current convocation of the deputy corps, representing Vitebsk region, has worked productively.
– They care about the cause, all their activities are aimed at improving the life of the Vitebsk regions. I hope that the updated composition of deputies will also be distinguished by a professional approach, they will work even better for the benefit of the region, while preserving the continuity of traditions developed by their predecessors, – noted Nikolai Sherstnev.
The main criteria that guided the head of the region in choosing the candidacy of a future parliamentarian are work experience, education and erudition, and most importantly – the ability to listen to and hear the people for whom the deputy should work in the legislative body. Moreover, in conjunction with the deputy corps, the executive authorities of Vitebsk region will have to solve pressing issues of the social sphere and infrastructure development to make the region more attractive for living and to increase its population. To this end, it is required at all levels of government to update the topic of financial support for transformations.
– We need to retain specialists, attract young people, increase the birth rate, and for this, certain conditions must be created. This concerns me greatly as the head of the region and is the main task for everyone, – emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev.
On this day, 819 polling stations opened in Vitebsk region, including more than 330 located in educational institutions, another 42 – in health resorts, healthcare organizations providing inpatient medical care, as well as military units.
More than 7.7 thousand young citizens took part in the voting for the first time. According to a good tradition, memorable gifts were prepared for them. Thus, a first-year student of the pharmaceutical faculty of the medical university, Andrey Stepanenko, came to polling station No. 47 right at its opening. Ten days ago, he celebrated his coming of age, so he went to fulfill his duty for the first time with a special mood.
civil duty. Moreover, he was elected group elder, which entails many responsibilities.– I am excited and proud to have the right to make responsible decisions that will shape the country's future, – shared the young voter, adding that he voted for a person with extensive professional experience.
Traditionally, amateur art groups created a festive atmosphere at the polling stations, preparing a diverse cultural program. Trade and public catering workers ensured an expanded assortment of goods, delicious dishes, and pastries. Consumer cooperation alone in the Vitebsk region organized the operation of over 550 retail outlets.
According to the regional election commission, over 4.8 thousand national observers monitored the election campaign in the Vitebsk region, with almost 98% of them present at the polling stations. Over 40 international observers from the ODIHR/OSCE mission, as well as over 30 representatives from the CIS mission and the Parliament of Belarus and Russia, worked in the Vitebsk region. They did not report any violations that could in any way affect the course of the elections.
Sergey Antonov. Photos by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye Vesti".