District election commissions have so far registered 227 initiative groups to collect signatures in support of prospective candidates for the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the sixth convocation, BelTA learnt from the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus.

According to the latest data, a total of 330 applications for registration of initiative groups have been filed to the CEC. One of them has been withdrawn, four more have been denied. Others are under consideration. Applications continue coming, although this stage is nearing its deadline. Documents should be filed not later than 7 July.

The biggest number of applications has been filed in Minsk – 88 (71 registered, two denied). Grodno Oblast is showing the smallest number of applications filed – 26 (18 registered, the rest is in the processing). Among the candidates, in support of whom the already registered groups are collecting signatures or will collect in the future, 79 are members of political parties: 20 represent the United Civil Party, 14 – the Belarusian Popular Front, 12 - the Belarusian leftist party A Just World, 9 - the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada) and 9 - the Communist Party of Belarus.

Parties can nominate candidates not only through the collection of signatures but also at their congresses. Labor collectives can also nominate their representatives.

Among the candidates who have been nominated by the already registered groups, 148 people are non-party affiliates.

Nomination of candidates began on 3 July and will run till 1 August. Candidates are nominated by the groups of at least 10 people registered in a district election commission.

Registration of candidates will be running from 2 through 11 August. The candidates can start campaigning from the day of their registration till 10 September. Campaigning is prohibited on voting day - 11 September.

BELARUSIAN NEWS