676 polling stations have started operating in the Vitebsk region
In the Vitebsk region, 676 polling stations began operating today, as reported by Dmitry Khoma, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Election Commission.
"All precinct commissions have received ballots and are ready for the start of early voting. Selective monitoring of polling station readiness has been carried out up to this point. All polling stations are ready. On the unified voting day, 861 stationary transparent and semi-transparent ballot boxes will be used in the region, and 687 during the early voting period. The total number of ballots will exceed 2.9 million," he noted.
In the Vitebsk region, 693 polling stations have been established, 676 of which opened their doors today. The remaining ones are closed: they are located in sanatoriums and hospitals, and one is on the territory of a military unit.
"A significant feature of our region is its rather extensive territory and the largest number of settlements with a small population. Therefore, in certain districts, we have a relatively high percentage of people voting at their place of stay (at home). Accordingly, we must organize transport for the delivery of members of precinct election commissions, plan routes, schemes, and logistics so as not to overlook a single voter and to provide everyone with the opportunity to vote," emphasized the head of the regional election commission.
"All precinct commissions have received ballots and are ready for the start of early voting. Selective monitoring of polling station readiness has been carried out up to this point. All polling stations are ready. On the unified voting day, 861 stationary transparent and semi-transparent ballot boxes will be used in the region, and 687 during the early voting period. The total number of ballots will exceed 2.9 million," he noted.
In the Vitebsk region, 693 polling stations have been established, 676 of which opened their doors today. The remaining ones are closed: they are located in sanatoriums and hospitals, and one is on the territory of a military unit.
"A significant feature of our region is its rather extensive territory and the largest number of settlements with a small population. Therefore, in certain districts, we have a relatively high percentage of people voting at their place of stay (at home). Accordingly, we must organize transport for the delivery of members of precinct election commissions, plan routes, schemes, and logistics so as not to overlook a single voter and to provide everyone with the opportunity to vote," emphasized the head of the regional election commission.
The number of polling stations has generally decreased, Dmitry Khoma clarified. For example, in the referendum on amendments and additions to the Constitution in 2022, there were 714 polling stations in the region, today there are 693.
"With the decrease in the total number of polling stations, the covered territory remains unchanged, as does the number of settlements," he explained. "Of course, the reduction in the number of polling stations, their optimization in rural areas, increases the workload on individual polling stations."
In this regard, six district commissions previously appealed to the regional commission to use the norm provided for in the Electoral Code and, in agreement with the Central Election Commission, to increase the number of portable ballot boxes from three to five. Gorodok, Lepel, Ushachi, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Senno regions, which traditionally have a sufficiently high percentage of home voters, received corresponding permission. This measure will reduce the workload on each pair of working members of these commissions.
"With the decrease in the total number of polling stations, the covered territory remains unchanged, as does the number of settlements," he explained. "Of course, the reduction in the number of polling stations, their optimization in rural areas, increases the workload on individual polling stations."
In this regard, six district commissions previously appealed to the regional commission to use the norm provided for in the Electoral Code and, in agreement with the Central Election Commission, to increase the number of portable ballot boxes from three to five. Gorodok, Lepel, Ushachi, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Senno regions, which traditionally have a sufficiently high percentage of home voters, received corresponding permission. This measure will reduce the workload on each pair of working members of these commissions.
For the convenience of voters of advanced age, the vast majority of polling stations in the Vitebsk region are organized on the ground floors of buildings. Issues of assistance and volunteer support remain under the control of local authorities.
According to the lists, 857,965 voters in the northern region can exercise their right to participate in the elections, including early voting. More than 3,000 people will observe the campaign. Most of them are in precinct election commissions. There will be an average of about four observers per commission. Their accreditation ended on February 19.
Early voting will be held without a lunch break from 12:00 to 19:00 from February 20 to 24. On the day of the main elections, polling stations will be open from 8:00 to 20:00.
"As for the schedule, it is generally easier to organize work without a lunch break. This is because there are still procedural issues related to the preparation of the polling station for voting, and the procedure for closing it before lunch. Commission members had to perform similar actions when resuming work at the polling station. In addition, it is probably good for people to have the opportunity to come and vote during lunchtime. Therefore, voting from 12:00 to 19:00 is provided both for the convenience of the population and for the work of the commissions, as it somewhat reduces the number of technical issues," said Dmitry Khoma.
According to the lists, 857,965 voters in the northern region can exercise their right to participate in the elections, including early voting. More than 3,000 people will observe the campaign. Most of them are in precinct election commissions. There will be an average of about four observers per commission. Their accreditation ended on February 19.
Early voting will be held without a lunch break from 12:00 to 19:00 from February 20 to 24. On the day of the main elections, polling stations will be open from 8:00 to 20:00.
"As for the schedule, it is generally easier to organize work without a lunch break. This is because there are still procedural issues related to the preparation of the polling station for voting, and the procedure for closing it before lunch. Commission members had to perform similar actions when resuming work at the polling station. In addition, it is probably good for people to have the opportunity to come and vote during lunchtime. Therefore, voting from 12:00 to 19:00 is provided both for the convenience of the population and for the work of the commissions, as it somewhat reduces the number of technical issues," said Dmitry Khoma.
Residents of the region will elect their representatives to the local Councils of Deputies of the 29th convocation, as well as to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the 8th convocation. In total, in the Vitebsk region, 2,963 people are running for 2,198 deputy seats. Residents of the northern region will have to elect 14 deputies to the House of Representatives from 33 candidates. The competition here, as well as for seats in the regional and district Councils, exceeds two people per seat. And in rural electoral districts, it is slightly more than one person per seat.
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