Collection of signatures for the nomination of candidates for the post of President begins in Belarus

In Belarus, the collection of signatures for nomination as a candidate for the head of state begins on July 23. This stage of the presidential campaign will last until August 21 inclusive, according to BelTA.

Citizens approached by signature collectors should pay attention to whether the signature sheets are filled out correctly. The front of the signature sheet must contain information about the person nominated as a presidential candidate (surname, name, patronymic, date of birth, position (occupation), place of work and residence, party affiliation) without abbreviations. It also indicates the surname, name, and patronymic of the member of the initiative group collecting signatures. The signature sheet is filled out in Belarusian or Russian. Information about the voter, as provided in columns 1-5, can be filled out by the voter themselves or by other persons, including the member of the initiative group collecting signatures. However, the voter must personally enter the date of signing and sign in columns 6 and 7. Voter signatures are numbered. The signature sheet must 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, the member of the initiative group must have a certificate issued by the Central Commission and an identity document. These documents are presented to voters.

Collection of signatures may be carried out during pickets. No permit is required for such a picket if it is organised in a location not prohibited by local executive and administrative bodies. For example, in Minsk, picketing is prohibited at metro, railway and air transport facilities, in underground pedestrian crossings; on October Square, Independence Square, Victory Square, Square of the State Flag, Station Square, Yakub Kolas Square; within 200 metres of the buildings of the President's residences, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers; 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, and territories of organisations ensuring the defence and security of the state. In the capital, picketing for signature collection may be conducted from 8:00 to 22:00.

However, the collection of signatures from military personnel in military units is carried out in coordination with the commanders of military units during non-duty hours in 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, which stipulate the procedure for visits to the dormitory by persons who do not reside there.

During the collection of signatures, coercion and remuneration of voters for signing are prohibited. In this case, it means the transfer of money, gifts, or other material valuables to the voter, conducting preferential sales of goods, or providing services free of charge or on preferential terms. The participation of the organisation's administration in collecting signatures from voters during working hours is not permitted.

Citizens nominated as presidential candidates are not entitled to involve persons under their subordination or other official dependence in collecting signatures from voters during working hours. Signature collection during business trips is not permitted. Also, members of initiative groups are not entitled to distribute printed materials to voters when collecting signatures. Informational materials with biographical data of persons for whom signatures are being collected may only be provided to voters for familiarisation.

Earlier, the Central Commission of Belarus for Elections and National Referendums completed the registration of initiative groups for the nomination of candidates for the post of President. In total, the CEC admitted 8 initiative groups to participate in the signature collection: Alexander Lukashenko, Sergey Kalyakin, Sergey Gaidukevich, Viktor Tereshchenko, Nikolay Ulakhovich, Zhanna Romanovskaya, Tatyana Korotkevich, and Anatoly Lebedko.

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.

Coordinators of the initiative group must submit the signature sheets to the relevant district or city election commission no later than August 21, 2015.

News of Belarus (BELTA)