Yarmoshyna: We'll keep everything the way it is

The Belarusian electoral legislation will not be changed.

This statement was made today by Lidzia Yarmoshyna, the head of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums (CEC), on the air of the First National Channel of the Belarusian Radio.

Lidzia Yarmoshyna noted: “There's no need to amend the electoral law.” She explained such need may arise only after changes in the electoral system, transition to the proportional or mixed electoral systems. Lidzia Yarmoshyna noted neighbouring Ukraine and Russia change their legislation returning to the majority voting system.

“We adjusted our legislation to the OSCE requirements ahead of the 2010 presidential and local council elections,” the CEC head said.

As Lidzia Yarmoshyna thinks, the topic of amending the electoral legislation is one of the most popular among politicians. Similar demands were voiced by participants of a demonstration in Moscow after the Duma election. “Russia amends the electoral legislation almost every year. Almost before every election. It is the easiest way to propose a slogan concerning electoral changes... The electoral law is the first victim for politicians. They always use it in their rhetoric,” the CEC head noted.

Lidzia Yarmoshyna also thinks an idea of transition to the mixed electoral system won't be popular among Belarusian voters. “If we need to turn to another voting system, it should be one with open and transparent party lists, so that a voter can see he votes not for an abstract party, but for specific persons in the party,” the CEC head said.