On electoral sovereignty, electronic voting, and literature. What did the youth of Vitebsk discuss with the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, Igor Karpenko?
Over 200 young people – students and employees of enterprises – gathered for an "Unplanned Meeting" with Igor Karpenko as part of a new educational project at the Vitebsk Concert Hall. Many of them voted for the first time in the Presidential elections in January 2025.
Addressing the youth, the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission noted the high turnout of this category of voters in the recent electoral campaign: 96% of those registered in the lists came to the polling stations.
Following the extensive electoral cycle, which included a referendum, the Unified Voting Day, and the Presidential elections, the Central Election Commission always analyses the performance of precinct commissions and organisers. These meetings with young people are not only part of the CEC's educational activities but also an opportunity to hear directly from the younger generation about their opinions on the current electoral system and to gather their initiatives and proposals.
– It is important for us to maintain the thread connecting generations, which cements and unites Belarusian society. Policy must be built in such a way that young people are involved in public, socially significant projects, in the development of the economy, culture, and other spheres. Today's meeting is, on the one hand, informal, and on the other, extremely relevant for us. We often observe examples where, to destabilize the state, external forces influence the electoral system. The main lever of influence, as a rule, is young people. It is important for us to involve young citizens in the socio-political processes of Belarus so that they understand how the electoral system functions and form a high level of trust in it.
The young people inquired with Igor Karpenko about the digitalization of the election process, the implementation of various services, including those that allow for electronic voting. The Head of the Central Election Commission stated that he does not rule out such a possibility, but primarily focused on services that will facilitate the work of organizers – the creation of a voter register, as well as software that automates the process of checking and verifying signatures in support of candidates.
Igor Karpenko was asked what inspires and motivates him, and some young people sought advice for professional growth.
Maksim Malinets, a social studies teacher from Vitebsk School No. 33, did not leave the meeting empty-handed. The young man decided to ask what mark the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission would give himself as Minister of Education and whether he was satisfied with the quality of the current education system.
Incidentally, the head of the CEC has a pedagogical education, and from 2016 to 2021, he held the post of minister.
For the best question, Igor Karpenko presented the young man with the book "Symbols of Sovereign Belarus".
– I did not expect such a turn of events. I simply wanted to ask, as a fellow educator, about the current challenges facing the education system and to get his professional perspective. As a result, I received not only a boost of positivity and motivation from the conversation but also a pleasant gift.
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