The Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and Holding Republican Referendums completed the acceptance of applications for the registration of initiative groups for the nomination of candidates for the post of President of Belarus on July 17, the CEC informed BELTA.
The Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and Holding Republican Referendums completed the acceptance of applications for the registration of initiative groups for the nomination of candidates for the post of President of Belarus on July 17, the CEC informed BELTA.
On July 17, documents were submitted to the CEC for the creation of groups to nominate Tamara Biryukova, Viktor Tereshchenko, Nikolai Ulakhovich, and Alexander Yudaev. Also, at the CEC meeting, some previously submitted applications were considered. Three initiative groups for the nomination of candidates have already been registered: Alexander Lukashenko, Sergey Kalyakin, and Sergey Gaidukevich.
Applications for the creation of groups in support of Sergey Zablockiy, Irina Pershina, Zhanna Romanovskaya, Nikolai Statkevich, Andrey Konovets, Tatyana Korotkevich, and Anatoly Lebedko have not yet been considered. According to the legislation, the CEC must make such decisions within five days after the submission of documents for the creation of an initiative group. It is planned that the issue of registration or non-registration of these groups will be decided on July 20.
The CEC refuses to register an initiative group if the provisions of the Electoral Code are violated. The right to appeal the refusal to register an initiative group belongs to the person who claims to become a candidate. This complaint is filed with the Supreme Court within three days from the date of the decision on refusal.
Groups can start collecting signatures for the nomination of candidates from July 23 and continue until August 21 inclusive. In order for a candidate to be registered, at least 100,000 signatures must be collected. At the same time, a specific citizen of Belarus has the right to sign for the nomination of several candidates at once, but they cannot sign twice or more for one contender.
The front of the subscription sheet shall indicate, without abbreviations, the information about the person nominated as a presidential candidate (surname, name, patronymic, date of birth, position (occupation), place of work and place of residence, party affiliation). It shall also indicate the surname, name, and patronymic of the member of the initiative group collecting signatures. The subscription sheet shall be filled out in Belarusian or Russian. Information about the voter, as provided in columns 1-5, may be filled out by the voter themselves or by other persons, including the member of the initiative group collecting signatures. However, the voter shall personally indicate the date of signing and sign in columns 6 and 7. Voter signatures shall be numbered. The subscription sheet shall contain signatures of voters residing in the territory of only one city of regional subordination, district, or, in cities with district division, one district.
In addition, when collecting signatures, a member of the initiative group must possess a certificate issued by the Central Election Commission and an identity document. These documents shall be presented to voters. Signature collection may be conducted during pickets. A permit for such a picket is not required if it is organized in a location not prohibited by local executive and administrative bodies. Signature collection from military personnel stationed in military units shall be carried out in coordination with the commanders of military units during non-duty hours at a location determined by the unit commander. When collecting signatures from voters residing in dormitories, members of initiative groups must comply with the internal regulations of the dormitory regarding the procedure for visits by persons not residing therein.
When collecting signatures, coercion and remuneration of voters for signing are prohibited. Remuneration is understood as the transfer of money, gifts, or other material valuables to a voter, conducting preferential sales of goods, or providing services free of charge or on preferential terms. The participation of the administration of an organization in collecting voter signatures during working hours is not permitted.
Citizens nominated as presidential candidates are not entitled to involve individuals under their subordination or other official dependence in collecting voter signatures during working hours. Collecting signatures during business trips is not permitted. Furthermore, members of initiative groups are not entitled to distribute printed materials to voters when collecting signatures. Informational materials containing biographical data of individuals for whom signatures are being collected may only be provided to voters for familiarisation.
Coordinators of the initiative group must submit the signature sheets to the relevant district or city election commission no later than August 21, 2015.
The right to be elected President of Belarus is held by Belarusian citizens by birth, aged no less than 35 years, possessing electoral rights and permanently residing in the republic for at least 10 years immediately preceding the elections. Additionally, those with a criminal record are not eligible for registration as presidential candidates.
Citizens declared legally incompetent by a court, as well as those held in places of deprivation of liberty by court sentence, do not participate in elections.
News of Belarus (BELTA)