Citizens of Belarus must be provided with the opportunity to vote peacefully in the elections - A. Lukashenko
16/12/20100 views
16 December, Minsk /BelTA/. President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has demanded that law enforcement agencies do not succumb to possible provocations and reliably ensure the safety of citizens. The head of state made relevant statements on December 15 at a meeting on the ongoing presidential campaign in the country and ensuring public safety during this period, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
"Voting in the country's presidential elections began two days ago. I have invited you so that responsible persons can report to me on the current situation in our state. How are these two days going, is order ensured everywhere, is the population's access to polling stations provided? Have we managed to solve all the problems that were set before the government, before you, regarding the organization of the election process," the head of state addressed the meeting participants.
Alexander Lukashenko also made a statement in connection with information leaks in a number of opposition media outlets. "I am, of course, far from believing everything that is written today, especially in the so-called opposition media. We expected this. They are acting just as we expected. They are now starting to accuse the heads of enterprises, institutions, and organizations of pressuring people and forcing them to vote early," he said. "I emphasize again: this is absolutely unacceptable. If for some reason it is necessary for people to vote early, on the initiative of enterprise managers or for some other reasons, people should be asked, and the final word rests with the people. If they want to vote early, let them go. If they don't want to, we are waiting for them on December 19 at the polling stations. There is no need today to push people to vote early. People should be asked to vote. And when they vote is their right."
Addressing the head of the republican headquarters of the presidential candidate Alexander Radkov and staff member Viktor Sheiman, Alexander Lukashenko requested: "Please sort things out within the headquarters. Contact the Presidential Administration and clarify once again the extent to which the statements of the so-called oppositionists, which contain no facts, are true, namely that 'the authorities are driving people in droves' to early voting. Sort it out again. We should not be in any hurry. If people cannot vote on the 19th, ask them to come and vote early, and that's it. People have already decided who to vote for. We are no longer in a position (there are 10 of us candidates) to change anything. Therefore, they must be given the opportunity to come and vote peacefully. This is our task - the task of the authorities, all the authorities."
From the heads of law enforcement agencies, Alexander Lukashenko demanded not to succumb to any provocations. "Naturally, they (the opposition) are constantly shouting: 'Ploshcha, ploshcha, ploshcha!' (Square, square, square!). I want to say again: we have warned parents, we have warned university, technical school, college, lyceum, and school teachers. We have warned them about possible provocations that may occur on this day, including in places of mass gatherings. We have warned everyone. There is a law. Under no circumstances should one give in to provocations, because they (the opposition) need a picture, at least a picture now, that these are undemocratic authorities, that Lukashenko has 'come to power again on bones, on blood.' They need this. We must not be exposed," the President noted. "We are fully aware of this. Under no circumstances should we be exposed. Action must be taken in accordance with the situation. But the most important thing is, God forbid, if some provocation occurs, and God forbid, something happens to people. We must protect people. This is the task of law enforcement agencies, and there will be no mercy for anyone here. God forbid, someone crosses that Rubicon, which should not be approached at all. Anatoly Nilovich (Minister of Internal Affairs Anatoly Kuleшоv. – BELTA's note), the reaction of law enforcement agencies, and the military, must be adequate and firm. If you (protesters) are going peacefully to where you can go, where a place is designated, then go, please, talk, protest. But if it is a violation of the law, then the reaction must be adequate."Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the State Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, Leonid Maltsev, to coordinate the actions of law enforcement agencies. "So that we have neither confusion nor any excessive movements. You understand perfectly well that if these 'masters' (the opposition) were capable of anything, they would not behave like this. They are simply trying to provoke us. We are fully aware of this. They will not bring any people to the square. The people do not need any square. Everyone understands perfectly well that the boys, the teenagers, will be thrown to the front, and they themselves (the organizers) will hide, as usual, behind their backs, or flee altogether, as it has always been. Even teenagers know this perfectly well," the head of state noted.
"We have enough forces and means to civilizedly and reasonably counter these waverings and discord," the Belarusian leader stated. "The strength of the government today is so great that we do not need to resort to any extraordinary methods. But we must be ready for anything." -0-
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