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Türkiye's Supreme Election Council signed a cooperation agreement with Belarus's Central Election Commission on Tuesday, establishing formal channels for sharing electoral technologies and training methods between the two nations.
The memorandum of understanding was finalized during meetings in Minsk between Turkish Supreme Election Council Chairman Ahmet Yener and Belarusian counterpart Igor Karpenko, as part of the 2nd International Election Forum running through Wednesday in the Belarusian capital.
The partnership centers on modernizing electoral systems through advanced information technologies and improving voter accessibility across demographic groups. Both election bodies identified common goals in boosting youth participation and ensuring women's representation in campaign roles.
"Our cooperation in ensuring the implementation of democratic approaches and democratic understanding in elections will progress rapidly," Yener said during the signing ceremony, attended by Turkish Ambassador to Belarus Guclu Cem Isik and council members Serdar Mutta and Mahmut Akgun.
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The agreement establishes protocols for exchanging expertise on election equipment and information systems, while addressing voter inclusion challenges both countries face. Yener emphasized joint efforts to ensure participation of elderly citizens and people with disabilities in electoral processes, noting that despite systemic differences, both nations work toward "accurately reflecting the will of their populations."
The Turkish chairman referenced his country's observation mission during Belarus's January presidential elections, stating Turkish monitors confirmed the process "proceeded successfully and democratically." That election saw President Alexander Lukashenko secure a seventh term in office amid international scrutiny.
Karpenko framed the memorandum as strengthening broader bilateral relations between the two countries, citing the "strategic partnership" fostered by presidents Lukashenko and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"I want to emphasize that Belarus and Türkiye have developed really good, reliable and mutually beneficial relations of a strategic nature, covering many areas of life," Karpenko said. "The tone of these relations is set by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan."
The memorandum "opens new horizons for information exchange and mutual learning regarding modern election information technologies," according to Karpenko, suggesting both countries view technological advancement as central to their electoral development strategies.
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