On September 15, Minsk / Vasily Malashenkov - BELTA /. The collection of voter signatures in support of the nomination of candidates for the presidency of Belarus will begin on September 30. This was announced today at a meeting of the Central Election Commission by the commission's secretary Nikolai Lozovik, according to a BELTA correspondent. Initiative groups will be able to collect signatures until October 29 inclusive, as provided for by the calendar plan of organizational measures for the preparation and conduct of the presidential elections of Belarus. This document was approved today at a meeting of the Central Election Commission. According to the plan, signature sheets must be submitted to local (city, district) election commissions no later than October 29. The authenticity of voter signatures and the number of signatures will be verified within ten days after the submission of the sheets. Signature collectors will be required to present an ID issued by the election commission. They will also receive signature sheets from the election commissions. These documents must contain information about the person nominated as a candidate for the presidency of Belarus (place of work, name, surname, etc.). Only citizens who have reached the age of 18 and are eligible to vote in the upcoming elections can sign the sheet. Also, signatures of residents of only one city (district) can be collected on one sheet. Otherwise, the sheets will not be recognized by the election commission. The sheet must also indicate the passport details of the voter or details from a military ID, or a certificate issued upon loss of a passport. The CEC also reminded that a citizen can sign in favor of a particular nominee only once. On the back of the sheet, the collector writes their name and signs. The CEC also noted that signatures can be collected in dormitories only during hours when outsiders can visit them. In addition, signatures can be collected at pickets if they are held in places where this is not prohibited by local authorities. -0-

BELTA