Belarusian Lawmakers Approve First Reading Of Bill Likely To Force Delay Of Elections, Referendum
udf.byAlyaksandr Lukashenka (right) shakes hands with Central Election Commission chief Lydzia Yarmoshyna during a ceremony in Minsk in September 2020. Lawmakers in Belarus have approved the first reading of a bill amending the constitution to introduce a single voting day for all elections, a move that is likely to delay local elections and a referendum promised by authoritarian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka. The changes, supported by Lukashenka during a speech to parliament last month, were approved on June 25 during the last day of the the legislature's current session.
The Telegram channel of the House of Representatives said the second reading of the bill will be held when parliament reconvenes in the autumn.