Yarmoshyna: We will drag every candidate up the ladder in order elections t

Uladzimir Zdanovich started agitating his colleagues to persuade people in their "native electoral districts" to vote for Aliaksandr Lukashenka even during speeches of the deputies at the session of the House of Representatives. In spite of the fact the leader of the country has not officially declared his intention to run for President yet.

Uladzimir Zdanovich: “People most frequently ask the following question: “Tell us, deputy, when we start living better?” The best way is to answer with another question: “Haven't all the conditions for normal life been created in the country? Are we in a war with someone, do we have upheavals of any kind? Are there unemployed demanding to give them jobs, with transparants at the streets? Education is free, as well as medical care.”. You probably guess why it's happening - a hand of a real master is obvious in the country. I think you know whom I mean. So why looking for someone?”

The European Radio for Belarus correspondednt asked the Chairperson of the Central Elections Commission Lidzia Yarmoshyna whether these words can be considered untimely agitation for a candidate.

Lidzia Yarmoshyna: “First, he mentioned no names. Second, he has a right to agitate. Our legislation is very mild, it does not limit the agitation possibilities to one month only. So, every candidate, every contender can advertise himself from now on. As well as his friends”.



According to Yarmoshyna, the Central Elections Commission did consider the possibilities to conduct elections on December 12, and on February 6. However, the final date - December 19 - is the most reasonable, to her opinion. They already have money for the elections and even the date of the second round has already been scheduled.

Lidzia Yarmoshyna: “There are 37 billion roubles for two voting rounds. Approximately 27 billion will go on the first round. 11 billion - on the second, if there is any. In case there is a second round, it should be conducted no later than in two weeks. In case of necessity it is possible to conduct a second round in a week - on December 26”.

The order of filing documents for registration of initiative groups and all the other necessary documents and regulations will be approved on September 15 at the session of the Central Elections Commission. Potential candidates are supposed to file documents for registration of initiative groups no later than September 24. Collection of signatures for candidates is to start on September 30. Precinct elections commissions will be created no later than 45 days before the elections.

As for the quantity of future candidates, Yarmoshyna said:

"We will register everyone, trust me! We'll drag them up the ladder by the ears! We are interested in the elections to be active and fun. However, the key problem is collecting signatures. Unfortunately, since the year 2001 there have never been more than 4 contenders capable of collecting 100 thousand signatures. All the others could not reach this number”.



According to her, the Central Elections Commission would go for more liberal norms long ago, if this 100 thousand norm was not in the Constitution.

Yarmoshyna also promised all the international observers would be invited.

Lidzia Yarmoshyna: “We'll definitely invite them. Such political decision had been taken before we appointed the elections date. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus will send invitations to the corresponding international organizations, which traditionally observe elections, in the nearest days”.

She also confessed that Aliaksandr Lukashenka told her he was interested in having as many good and different competitors at the elections as possible.

Photo: Zmitser Lukashuk