August 9, presidential elections started in Belarus. They are taking place against the backdrop of massive protests that have lasted for several months in the country.
Presidential elections in Belarus are held every five years. Polling stations throughout the country are open from 8 am to 8 pm. In total, 5,723 polling stations are opened thought Belarus and 44 polling stations operate outside the country. 6,844,932 citizens are included in the voters' lists.
On the eve of the main elections, early voting took place in Belarus throughout the previous week. According to the Central Election Commission, 41.7% of people voted early.
As we reported before, Germany, France, and Poland made a joint statement on the eve of the presidential election in Belarus. European countries expect the Belarusian authorities to hold fair and democratic elections.
"We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, and Poland, observe the ongoing developments in Belarus with great concern. On the eve of the presidential elections, we firmly stand by the right of the Belarusian people to exercise their fundamental freedoms, including electoral rights, and support the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus,” the message reads.
