Local elections in Belarus permit select citizens to cast their ballots
In a significant development in political relations between Russia and Belarus, Russian citizens permanently residing in Belarus can now vote in local government elections in Russia. This change, which mirrors a reciprocal law allowing Belarusian citizens residing in Russia similar rights, was made possible by a protocol signed by Presidents Putin and Lukashenko on March 13, 2025, and ratified by the Russian State Duma in July 2025.
According to a report by the "Parliamentary Newspaper" and data from the Ministry of Justice, the number of Belarusians permanently residing in Russia is approximately 26,000. However, no specific demographic statistics detailing how many of these Belarusians are eligible to vote have been reported.
The law, aimed at integrating the populations in both countries, falls under the framework of the Union State agreement signed in 1999. The author of the article, Andrey Ivanov, notes that while the legal right for Russian citizens permanently residing in Belarus to vote in Russian local elections is newly enacted as of mid-2025, precise numbers of such residents eligible to vote have not been publicly reported in the available information.
The article, titled "More Belarusians Allowed to Participate in Local Elections in Russia", is published on the reputable news website rbc.group and is not an advertisement. It provides a clear and straightforward account of the recent political developments between Russia and Belarus, offering insights into the evolving relationship between the two nations.
The new voting rights for Russian citizens in Belarus, as outlined in the policy-and-legislation details, stem from a significant shift in politics between the two countries. This general-news development is anticipated to affect approximately 26,000 Belarusians living in Russia, yet specific statistics regarding eligible voters have yet to be disclosed.
