Elections to local Councils of Deputies in Belarus

A session of the Vitebsk Oblast Council of Deputies

Local Councils of Deputies are elected by the citizens of the relevant administrative-territorial units for a four-year term.

Elections to local Councils are held in a single-member constituency.

Constituencies are formed proportionally to the population for the elections of deputies to local Councils of Deputies. From 40 to 60 constituencies are set up for the elections to a regional Council of Deputies and Minsk City Council of Deputies; from 25 to 40 constituencies – for the elections to a district and town Council of Deputies; from 15 to 25 constituencies - to a town Council of Deputies (towns of regional subordination); from 11 to 15 constituencies - to a township and village Council of Deputies.

Scheduling the elections to local Councils of Deputies in the Republic of Belarus

Elections to local Councils of Deputies of a new convocation are called no later than four months and are held not later than 30 days before the term of office of local Councils of Deputies of the current convocation expires. Elections to all local Councils of Deputies are held simultaneously.

Elections to the 28th convocation local councils of deputies in Belarus took place on 18 February 2018.

Requirements for candidates for local Councils of Deputies

A citizen of the Republic of Belarus, who is over 18, has no prior criminal record and who is a permanent resident of the area where he is nominated or in a position related to the area can be elected deputy of a local Council of Deputies.

Nomination of the candidates for local Councils of Deputies in the Republic of Belarus

Nomination of candidates for deputies to local Councils starts within 70 days and ends 40 days prior to the voting day.

Nomination of candidates for deputies from political parties to regional, Minsk City, district and town councils is exercised by regional, Minsk City, district and town organizations of the parties respectively, which are formed according to the established procedures before the elections are called.
 
Nomination of candidates for deputies from political parties to town (towns of regional subordination), township and village Councils of Deputies is exercised by district and town organizations of the parties respectively, which are formed according to the established procedures before the elections are called.

Candidates for local Councils can be also nominated by labor collectives or through the collection of signatures of citizens in the given constituency:

• at least 150 signatures are needed to be nominated candidates for region and Minsk City Council of Deputies;
• at least 75 signatures - for district and town (towns of regional subordination) Council of Deputies;
• at least 20 persons - for town (towns of regional subordination), township and village Council of Deputies.

Registration of candidates for local Councils of Deputies in the Republic of Belarus

Registration of candidates for local Councils begins 40 days and ends 30 days prior to elections.

The decision to register a candidate for local Councils is taken by a territorial electoral commission after the data given in the nomination documents is verified.

Vote counting of the elections to local Councils of Deputies in the Republic of Belarus

A candidate for the Council of Deputies is considered elected if he wins the majority of votes. In case there is only one candidate nominated he is considered elected if he has received more than half of the votes.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks