Lukashenka invites everyone to local “elections”

The ruler urges Belarusians to vote at the forthcoming “elections” to local councils.

He said it at a meeting with heads Belarusian mass media on January 21, BelTA news agency reports.

“I'd like to ask and invite people to vote. They shouldn't think local council members do nothing and decide nothing,” he said. “Yes, they are not very visible due to specific feature of their work. Maybe it's because they don't solve global problems, which we solve here, on the highest level. But it doesn't mean they are less important for ordinary citizens.”

“It [voting] is very important for me. I will be able to say: look, our people are active, they are real Belarusians. Go and cast your vote, it's not so hard,” Lukashenka said.

He underlined everyone would be able to make his or her own decision.

“Vote as you want: if you want to protest and vote for an opposition member, do it. If you support the constructive approach and the policy conducted by the state, vote for a pro-governmental candidate. It is your right. But you should come and vote,” Lukashenka said.

He added the “elections” were important for him.

“It's not a rehearsal of the presidential campaign. It shows the level of civic consciousness of our people,” the ruler said.

None “elections” and “referendums” in Belarus have been recognised by international organisations and Western countries since 1995.