Elections provide an opportunity to express one's civic stance and be heard by the authorities - a scientist

September 23, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Elections give citizens of Belarus the right to express their civic position and be heard by the authorities. That is why it is so important to participate in them, emphasized Denis Duk, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Polotsk State University, in a conversation with a BELTA correspondent. The institution of elected power has long traditions in Belarusian lands, laid down in the Principality of Polotsk. Despite the fact that power was centralized, the traditions of local self-government were zealously observed. Respected citizens had the right to vote. Today, citizens of Belarus are given the right to be elected and to elect their representatives to the National Assembly, to local self-government bodies, regardless of their social and property status, age, and gender. Both the voter seasoned with life experience and the one who has just turned 18 have equal voting rights. "The traditions of antiquity must be developed and multiplied. Belarusians should be proud that we have the right to express our civic position in elections, and our voice will be heard," emphasized Denis Duk. -0-