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New parliament elected in Belarus — Central Election Commission

The elections have already been declared valid as the voter turnout surpassed the 50-percent threshold

MINSK, September 11. /TASS/. The House of Representatives, the lower house of Belarus’ National Assembly, or Parliament, has been elected in Sunday’s polls.

"Parliamentary elections are valid everywhere in Belarus," chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Lydia Yermoshina said.

She said the Central Election Commission has received no claims about serious violations. "There are no serious claims about any violations that might impact the results of the elections," she said, adding she is satisfied with the election campaign.

"These elections stirred bigger voter interest than the previous elections four years ago," Yermoshina said. In her words, the campaign is more active. "I am glad that this election campaign was less controversial. Moreover, local authorities were more open and gave maximum possibilities for canvassing," she noted.

Local police reported no serious incidents during the voting. "No incidents, gross violations of public order or other emergencies that might adversely impact the crime situation were reported from polling stations," a spokesman for the Belarusian interior ministry’s law and order department said.

The elections have already been declared valid as the voter turnout surpassed the 50-percent threshold.

Elections to the House of Representatives, or the lower house of Belarusian parliament, are recognized as valid in case they are attended by more than a half of eligible voters.

As many as 484 candidates are vying for 110 seats in the lower parliament house. The country’s eligible electorate includes seven million voters. Preliminary results are expected to be announced by chairwoman of the Central Election Commission Lydia Yermoshina late at night.