Aleksandr Lukashenko casts vote at Belarusian parliamentary elections

President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko cast his vote at the parliamentary elections in Belarus attending polling station No.476 of Starovilensky constituency No.105 at the Belarusian State University of Physical Education.

Aleksandr Lukashenko talked to foreign observers who were present at the polling station and got familiar with the organization of the election process.

The head of state also met with the representatives of the Belarusian and foreign mass media.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that the parliamentary elections in Belarus are held in the first place for the Belarusian people, not for the West.

When asked about recognition or non-recognition of the elections by the West, Aleksandr Lukashenko said that “one should always hope for the better.”

“I want to reiterate: we are holding elections today not for the West. The main hero at the elections in Belarus is the Belarusian people,” the head of state said.

“We hope for the better. We will see what awaits us the future,” the Belarus Presideny added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that this election campaign can be called faultless .

“If someone doubts the choice of the Belarusian people this time, then I do know which standards and rules we should follow to conduct the elections,” the President said.

At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko asked to restrain from jumping to conclusions. “The main show always starts here after the elections are held and the results are announced,” the head of state said. “We have always faced a certain political absurdity after the announcement of the results. I just recall the country’s experience here,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked.

The elections which proceed in a boring and calm atmosphere is true happiness for the people and the authorities of the country, Aleksandr Lukashenko told reporters.

“The elections in the civilized country should be held this way,” the head of state said.

The President added that “he is far from the current campaign due to his busy schedule.”

“We do not need revolutions, clashes, unrest,” the President stressed.

The head of state noted that people who are standing for the election for the Belarusian parliament should be well-educated and dedicated professionals. Their main task is to make laws.

Aleksandr Lukashenko advised those who accuse Belarus of rigging elections to learn from Belarus how to conduct them in a fair and decent way.

“Where do you see election rigging?” the head of state asked a journalist from Poland. “Tell your Polish observers and all who conduct the elections in your country that they can learn from Belarus how to conduct them in a fair and decent way. This is my advice to you.”

“As the saying goes: in Rome do as the Romans do. Tell this your Polish politicians. We can deal with our issues ourselves. We do not create any problems for you,” the President added.

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that a high turnout at the elections in Belarus testifies to people’s confidence in the government.

When asked about what a low turnout means, the President said: “If people do not go to the polling stations, they do not trust in the political system of the country. We have twice as much votes cast than for example Finland does.”

The President believes that a high turnout in Belarus shows that “our society is more conscious, our people believe in their prospects, their future and the authorities that conduct these elections, at least the body that is being elected.”

The President was asked to express his opinion regarding the move of some candidates to withdraw from the parliamentary race.

According to the President, such moves show their absolute political apathy.

“I am coming to the conclusion of their complete inability as politicians,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko recommended imagining the similar situation in Germany.

Speaking about his attitude to the candidates who called a boycott to the elections, Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “They are cowards who have nothing to say to their people. The political race follows certain laws. Everyone knows it.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko believes that if politicians decide to run, they should fight to the finish. If they do not do it, they are cowards, pseudo-politicians. “Go the way to the finish. If you have any negative facts, tell about them when you are done. Try your rating first: learn if people know you at all. Try and see if you should continue leading your party or give room for somebody else,” the President said.