Belarus holding referendum to amend Constitution

Belarus has begun voting at the referendum on amendments and additions to the constitution, Report informs via TASS.

As many as 5,510 polling stations have opened for voting, said the Central Election Commission of Belarus.

The CEC clarified that out of 5,510 polling stations, 217 are in sanatoriums, dispensaries, hospitals and other medical institutions where early voting was not conducted.

The early voting was conducted from February 22 to 26, and 42.93% of the citizens participated in it.

More than 6.8 million Belarusian citizens are included in the voting lists. The bulletin contains one question:

"Do you accept amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus?"

Voters are asked to leave a mark in one of two boxes - "for" or "against". In case if both boxes are marked, or they are not marked altogether, then the ballot will be considered invalid.

Per Belarusian law, the referendum will be declared valid if more than half of the eligible voters participate.

The polling stations for the referendum will close at 20:00 (GMT +3).