On September 23, Vitebsk /BelTA correspondent/. All conditions for transparent elections have been created by the precinct commissions, this point of view was expressed in a conversation with a BelTA correspondent by international observer Vladimir Kiku, Director of the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation, General Political and Social Problems of the CIS Executive Committee, who is monitoring polling station No. 34 in Vitebsk. "The sealing of ballot boxes and the commencement of the voting procedure comply with the Electoral Code of Belarus. Along with international observers, domestic observers are present at the polling station. The precinct commission has done everything to ensure that citizens have the opportunity for free expression of will," the observer stated. Vladimir Kiku also added that he had observed the early voting process and noted no violations of the current legislation. "The elections are being held with good organization, in a friendly atmosphere. The elections in Belarus will be held in a transparent environment," the international observer expressed his confidence. Today, 898 polling stations, including 48 in stationary medical facilities and sanatoria, and 2 in military units, are awaiting voters in the Vitebsk region. Approximately 900,000 people are included in the voter lists. 42 candidates are vying for 14 deputy seats in the House of Representatives of the National Assembly in the region, 22 of whom are party members. All candidates were granted equal rights based on electoral legislation, and all of them were given the opportunity to speak on television and radio airwaves free of charge with their election programs. The "Vitebsk" TV and Radio Company broadcast the speeches of 37 candidates from August 28 to September 3, and 35 contenders spoke on regional radio. For the first time in the current election campaign, candidates were able to hold public discussions. In the region, 22 people participated in them, speaking in eight television and six radio debates. Another innovation of this campaign was the opening of election funds by candidates. Special election accounts in the branches of OJSC "Savings Bank "Belarusbank" were opened by 12 candidates running in the electoral districts of the Vitebsk region. Over 4,000 national observers and more than 30 international observers are monitoring the course of the election campaign in the region. 28.3% of voters participated in the early voting, which took place from September 18 to 22. -0-

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