Transparent ballot boxes are an image-building element, which does not affect the voting process and election results, as stated by the Central Election Commission Chair during an information seminar with members of the Minsk region’s election commissions. According to Lidia Yermoshina, it is not the ballot boxes that matter, but the ballot papers inside them. A similar opinion was expressed by the Central Election Commission Chair in respect of cameras installed at some polling stations.
Meanwhile, initiative groups continue collecting signatures in support of the eight contenders for presidency. Each of them should obtain at least 100,000 signatures till 21 August. The election campaign has been joined by the Belarusian Republican Youth Union. Daily picketing involves over 100 BRYU representatives in Minsk alone.
From 6 to 15 September, the Central Election Commission will be registering the candidates, which will be followed by pre-election campaigning.
