The presidential elections in Belarus were declared valid, more than 50% of voters took part in the voting as of 12:00. This was announced by the head of the Central Election Commission of the republic, Lidia Yermoshina. 

She added that in general, the elections are going smoothly, "while no disturbing information has been reported."

“The elections have taken place in the country. More than 54% of voters took part in the voting, ”she confirmed.

According to Yermoshina, all regions, except Minsk, have overcome the 50% turnout barrier. By noon in Gomel and Mogilev regions, more than 60% of voters came to polling stations.

“This includes percentages, figures for early voting,” BelTA quotes the head of the Central Election Commission.

At the same time, at the polling station in Moscow, as of 11:00, the turnout exceeded 70%, taking into account early voting. In the precinct election commission No. 102, which is located in the Russian capital, the agency was told that 1,436 people had already taken part in the elections. Both citizens of Belarus permanently residing in Moscow and those who are on the territory of Russia on election day can vote on this site.

International observers also noted the high activity of voters in Moscow and reported a long queue along Maroseyka Street, where the building of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia is located. In connection with the threat of the spread of the coronavirus, the diplomatic mission officers launch groups of several people into the building, after which they give the voters masks and disposable pens.

The incumbent head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko also voted in the presidential elections. The country's leader visited the polling station located in the building of the State University of Physical Education in Minsk.

  • The current President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko cast his vote in the elections

In an interview with journalists, Alexander Lukashenko said that he hopes to win and will wait for the results.

“I can't change anything at the moment. It all depends on the people who come to the sites. I'm not worried about the first elections. So I have some experience. I will wait for the results, like all of you. I'll just wait, ”the head of state said.

He also answered the question whether he will run for the presidency in the future if he wins the current elections.

“If I am alive and well, I will answer whether I will run in the future. As for the confidence in my victory, I would not be so unambiguous. I hope, ”BelTA quotes the words of the Belarusian president.

In addition, Lukashenka told how relations with Moscow will be built after the presidential elections.

“Relations will be built normally. You probably noticed this from the dry message of the press services (following the results of the conversation between the presidents of Belarus and the Russian Federation - RT ). Yes, I reproached Russia for switching from fraternal to partnership relations. It was clearly stated by the President of Russia: “We will build fraternal relations with you,” he recalled.

Meanwhile, in Minsk on the day of elections, Internet failures were noted. According to RIA Novosti, the network worked stably until 9:00, but later problems began, including a sharp drop in speed. Many residents of the Belarusian capital complained about similar problems.

RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan also reported about problems in the network.

“In our office @sputnikby in Minsk the Internet was laid down. The guys are sitting on the reserve. YouTube, skype, mail, messengers do not work. Telegram still holds up, but with difficulty. Photos and videos are not loaded in browsers. So - all over Belarus. Happy election day, everyone, ”she wrote in her Telegram channel.

Presidential elections are held in Belarus on Sunday, August 9. There are five candidates running for the post of leader of the republic: Co-chairman of the public organization "Tell the Truth" Andrei Dmitriev, non-partisan Anna Kanopatskaya and Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, incumbent leader Alexander Lukashenko and chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada party Sergei Cherechen. In addition, the ballots have a column “against all”.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 and will continue to work until 20:00. According to BelTA, 5767 polling stations have been set up for voting, including 44 abroad. 

Earlier, the CEC reported that 41.7% of voters came to the polls in five days of early voting in the presidential elections. The highest turnout was recorded in the Gomel region - 54.44% of the total number of those included in the lists in the region voted there.

Elections in Belarus are recognized as valid if more than 50% of the citizens included in the lists take part in the voting. To win, a candidate must collect more than 50% of the votes cast in the elections.