Early voting for local elections in Belarus will take place from March 18 to March 22.

March 17, Minsk /BELTA/. Early voting for the election of deputies to the local Councils of Belarus will be held from March 18 to March 22 inclusive, Secretary of the Central Election Commission Nikolay Lozovik told a BELTA correspondent.

Early voting will take place at all polling stations, except for those formed in military units, sanatoria, health resorts, rest homes, hospitals and other healthcare organizations providing inpatient medical care. Nikolay Lozovik clarified that early voting will only take place within the premises of the polling station; commission members will not travel to voters' homes with ballot boxes.

The Secretary of the Central Election Commission emphasized that any voter wishing to do so can vote early, and there is no need to explain the reasons why they cannot fulfill their civic duty on the main day, March 23. It is sufficient to come to the polling station with a passport, driver's license, military ID (for conscripts), pension certificate (if it contains a photograph), state employee's ID, or student ID. A citizen who has lost their passport will receive a ballot for voting upon presentation of a certificate from the internal affairs bodies. Citizens of Russia who permanently reside in Belarus can also participate in the local elections; they need to have their residence permit with them.

Polling stations will be open with short intervals from 10:00 to 14:00 and after a break from 16:00 to 19:00.

Election campaigning is currently underway in Belarus and will continue until March 22 inclusive. More than 22,000 people have been registered as candidates for deputies of local Councils. -0-