CEC head: Belarus ready to assist Russia in September election

“This year, this provision will be applied in the Russian Federation for the first time. We are actively cooperating with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. As you know, this autumn they will hold a single voting day to elect local councils of deputies. And of course, we are ready to cooperate to exchange information and to provide whatever informational support is necessary,” Igor Karpenko said.

The CEC head recalled that the corresponding protocol introduced amendments to the Agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation on Equal Rights of Citizens dated 25 December 1998.

“This protocol grants equal rights to Belarusian citizens residing in the Russian Federation and to Russian citizens residing in Belarus to participate in local elections. They may take part both in electing members of local councils of deputies and in standing as candidates [for election],” Igor Igor Karpenko said.

The protocol has entered into force. “We have incorporated these provisions into our legislation,” he noted. “In 2024, during the single voting day, citizens of the Russian Federation took part in the elections of local council deputies [in Belarus].”

Igor Karpenko stressed that in 2024, 15 members of local councils of deputies were elected who are citizens of the Russian Federation residing in the Republic of Belarus and holding a residence permit. Of these, 11 were elected to district councils of deputies, and four to rural and settlement councils of deputies.

As it was previously reported, for the first time Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Russia will be able to take part in elections to local self-government bodies during the single voting day in September 2026.