The Russian Consulate General in Brest, Belarus, received a warning about a potential mining threat during the presidential election event, but the threat proved false. This update came from the Russian Ambassador to Belarus, Boris Gryzlov, as reported by TASS [TASS].
The message about an alleged mine device was directed at the Brest Consulate General building. The diplomat indicated that a subsequent check was conducted and the voting process continued uninterrupted [TASS].
Gryzlov highlighted that despite the security alert, voters proceeded to cast ballots at the consulate and in polling stations around the area. The calm response of the electorate underscored the resilience of participation if not the urgency of the moment [TASS].
The ambassador also expressed appreciation for the Belarusian authorities, noting their support during the election period, including on security matters. The cooperation helped ensure that the electoral activities could proceed with minimal disruption [TASS].
Election day arrangements indicate that voting will be conducted from March 15 to 17, with an option to vote online as well. These extended voting days are designed to accommodate voters who may be traveling or away from home during the weekend period [TASS].
For the first time since 2008, the presidential race features four candidates. Vladislav Davankov represents New People, Vladimir Putin runs as a self-nominated candidate, Leonid Slutsky stands for the LDPR, and Nikolai Kharitonov is the nominee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. The slate reflects a wider field and a more dynamic campaign landscape compared to previous cycles [TASS].
Online coverage on the third day of voting is accessible through the outlet New Newspapers Online, which offers ongoing updates on the election process and voter turnout as the polling concludes in different regions [Newspapers.Ru].
Earlier reports noted the scale of voter participation for the presidential elections held in Belarus, emphasizing the cross-border interest and engagement in the process. The overall participation trends and security considerations continue to be monitored by electoral and diplomatic channels [TASS].