"Not a Chance Meeting" in Vitebsk: how the youth debated with the Chairman of the Belarusian Central Election Commission Igor Karpenko about the future of elections
On electoral sovereignty, electronic voting, and literature. What did the youth of Vitebsk discuss with the Chairman of the CEC of Belarus, Igor Karpenko?
At the "Unusual Meeting" with Igor Karpenko as part of a new educational project at the KZ "Vitebsk", more than 200 young people – students and workers from enterprises – gathered. Many of them voted for the first time in the Presidential elections in January 2025.
Welcoming the youth, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission noted the high activity of this category of voters in the recent electoral campaign: 96% of those listed in the rolls came to the polling stations.
After a comprehensive electoral cycle that included a referendum, a Unified Voting Day, and Presidential elections, the Central Election Commission always analyzes the activities of the precinct commissions and organizers. Such meetings with the youth are not only part of the CEC's educational activities but also an opportunity to hear firsthand the opinions of the younger generation about the existing electoral system, to gather their initiatives and proposals.
– It is important for us to maintain a connecting thread between generations that cements and unites Belarusian society. It is necessary to build policy in such a way that young people are involved in public, socially significant projects, in the development of the economy, culture, and other areas. Today's meeting, on the one hand, is informal, on the other hand, it is extremely relevant for us. We often observe examples where foreign influence is used to destabilize the state, particularly affecting the electoral system. The main lever of influence is usually the youth. It is important for us to engage young citizens in the socio-political processes of Belarus so that they understand how the electoral system functions and develop a high level of trust in it.
The young people asked Igor Karpenko about the digitization of the election process, the implementation of various services, including those allowing for electronic voting. The head of the CEC mentioned that he does not rule out such a possibility but emphasized the importance of services that would facilitate the work of organizers – the creation of a voter registry, as well as software that automates the process of verifying and validating signatures in support of candidates.
They were curious about what inspires and motivates Igor Karpenko, and some young people asked for advice for professional growth.
A social studies teacher from Vitebsk School No. 33, Maxim Malinets, left the meeting with more than just empty hands. The young man decided to inquire what rating the CEC Chairman would give himself as Minister of Education and whether he is satisfied with the quality of today's education system.
By the way, the head of the CEC has a pedagogical education and served as Minister from 2016 to 2021.
For the best question, Igor Karpenko gifted the young man a book titled "Symbols of Sovereign Belarus".
– I did not expect such a turn of events. I just wanted to ask, as a fellow educator, about the current challenges facing the education system and to learn his professional perspective. As a result, I received not only a boost of positivity and motivation from the conversation but also a pleasant gift.