BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/12/2006

Belarus Opens Election Campaign For Local Councils

Campaigning began in Belarus on December 15 for the January 14 elections to local councils (soviets), Belapan reported on December 18, citing Mikalay Lazavik, secretary of the Central Election Commission (TsVK). The elections are held on three levels: for village, district and city, and regional councils. The TsVK has registered 23,791 candidates to compete for 22,658 seats. Lazavik said that candidates should print their campaigning materials only in Belarus and only with state money -- each candidate will receive 31,000 rubles ($14.5), 124,000 rubles, and 248,000 rubles to campaign on the village, district, and regional level, respectively. "If candidates use their personal money or funds from foreign sponsors in their campaigns," they will be disqualified, Lazavik warned. Amendments to the Electoral Code also oblige candidates to obtain local government permission for public meetings with voters. The election campaign will overlap with early voting, which begins a few days before the elections. AM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2006/12/3-cee/cee-191206.asp