Yarmishina Spoke About Extension Of Presidential Term For Lukashenka

The head of CEC does not exclude the possibility of "a referendum" on the issue.

The chairman of the Central Election Commission Lidziya Yarmoshina said to BelaPAN, that a referendum to extend terms of office for the "deputies" of the "chamber of representatives" and to extend the presidential term for Lukashenka will take place "if it be the will of the head of state."

The head of CEC noted, commenting on her opinion on the proposal of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to organize a national referendum together with "elections" to local "councils" in 2018: "I don't have and can't have any opinion, because I don't take part in political decision making. The suggestion itself doesn't contradict international practice. And its implementation in certain regard could contribute to social stability and some savings on the costs of the elections."

Last week, LDP came up with the initiative to hold a referendum to amend the Constitution. The statement was received by the Supreme Council and the Central Committee of the party on November 23. LDP proposes to switch to a proportional and majoritarian "electoral" system, as well as to extend terms of office for the members of "Council of Republic", "deputies" of the "chamber of representatives" and "deputies" of local "councils" from 4 to 5 years, and to extend the presidential term for Lukashenka from 5 to 7 years.

Last time a referendum to amend the Basic Law was held on October 17, 2004 on the initiative of Lukashenka. According to the official results, the limitation of the number of presidential terms for one person was canceled that time.

During a meeting with members of "parliament" of the old and the new convocation, which was held on October 7, Lukashenka stated that he didn't exclude the possibility of correction of the Constitution.

"The world is changing rapidly. We need to adapt to the changing conditions in order not only preserve the niches that we have occupied, but also to find new ones. Maybe, the time has come to analyze our Basic Law, I have once told this. Let us try to approach this issue from different angles. Carefully, not to make things worse. There are new problems and challenges. And time, probably, requires something new. We need to start with the essentials, if we are bent on that. We have to create a group of wise men, lawyers, who will analyze the Basic Law. And if need be, we'll go for it," – Lukashenka said.