In Belarus, the period of pre-election campaigning and propaganda begins on September 11, according to BelTA.
In Belarus, the period of pre-election campaigning and propaganda begins on September 11, according to BelTA.
The day before, the Central Election Commission decided to register four contenders for the post of President as candidates: Siarhei Haidukevich, Tatyana Korotkevich, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and Mikalai Ulakhovich. The corresponding certificates have been issued.
Belarusian legislation prohibits campaigning aimed at boycotting or disrupting elections; campaigning is permitted for participation in elections or for specific candidates. Campaigning aimed at a boycott is illegal and may incur administrative liability.
In order to address voters, each candidate is entitled to two free broadcasts on the "Belarus 1" TV channel and two free broadcasts on the First National Channel of Belarusian Radio. The duration of each broadcast cannot exceed 30 minutes.
According to the results of the draw, Siarhei Haidukevich will broadcast on television on September 15 and September 25; on radio – on September 23 (6:10 AM - 6:40 AM) and September 30 (6:10 AM - 6:40 AM). Tatyana Korotkevich will broadcast on television on September 17 and September 24; on radio – on September 25 (6:10 AM - 6:40 AM) and October 2 (6:40 AM - 7:10 AM). Alyaksandr Lukashenka has been allocated broadcast time on television on September 16 and September 23; on radio – on September 23 (6:40 AM - 7:10 AM) and September 30 (6:40 AM - 7:10 AM). Mikalai Ulakhovich will broadcast on television on September 18 and September 22; on radio, he will be allocated time on September 25 (6:40 AM - 7:10 AM) and October 2 (6:10 AM - 6:40 AM).
The televised debates will take place on the "Belarus 1" TV channel on October 3, starting at 5:00 PM. 60 minutes of airtime will be allocated for this. A candidate wishing to participate in the televised debates must submit a written application to the Belteleradiocompany no later than September 18. In doing so, they may authorise a trusted representative to participate in the televised debates.
Furthermore, candidates are entitled to publish their election programmes in separate Belarusian newspapers free of charge. The volume of an election programme shall not exceed five typed pages (no more than 10,000 characters with spaces when typed on a computer). When publishing election programmes, the order of their submission is observed, which is determined based on separate registration in the editorial offices of newspapers, indicating the date and time of receipt of the election programmes.
Mass events for election campaigning are permitted in the capital and regions of Belarus. For example, in Minsk, such events can be held in any suitable locations, with the exception of metro facilities, railway and air transport, underground pedestrian crossings, bridges and overpasses, and roadways; October Square, Independence Square, Victory Square, Square of the State Flag, Station Square, Yakub Kolas Square; locations within 200 metres of the buildings of the President's residence, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers; locations within 50 metres of the buildings of republican state administration bodies, local representative, executive and administrative bodies, diplomatic missions and consular institutions, courts, prosecutor's offices, territories of organisations ensuring the defence capability and security of the state, and preschool institutions.
The presidential elections will be held on October 11. Currently, the election campaign is being observed by long-term missions of the OSCE/ODIHR and the CIS. Short-term observers will arrive on election day. It is also expected that representatives of the PACE will join the monitoring (a preliminary mission visited Belarus on September 8-9). The Central Election Commission has also sent invitations directly to the Central Election Commissions of other states.