Belarus parliament elections

According to the source, women represent 24.8% of the registered candidates. “It is less than a third, but we should not forget that the share of women in the parliament can be bigger. Women can even take up to 50% of the 110 parliamentary seats if they are elected,” pointed out Lidia Yermoshina.

Young Belarusians represent 9.8% of the registered candidates, up from 9.1% in 2012, while the share of pensioners equals 8.1% (42 people).

As many as 31 Belarusians (6%) without jobs have been registered as parliamentary candidates.

Representatives of the social sphere (education, culture, science, healthcare) make up 18.2% (95 people), government agencies make up 9.8% (51 people). The number of industrial sector workers is rather large — 17.3% (90 people). Businessmen constitute 6.7% (35 people). Other areas of activities are represented by 136 people (26.1%).

Political parties have been able to nominate 52.5% of the registered candidates, which is roughly the same number as in 2012. All in all, 63.7% of the registered candidates (332 people) are members of political parties.

Speaking about the number of people, who have been denied registration, Lidia Yermoshina stressed that numbers are not everything. “The reasons [why they were denied registration] are what matters. If rejections are justified and correspond to the reality, then it is okay. If the refusals are far-fetched, then territorial commissions and then courts will have to look into it. Certainly, the situation can satisfy neither me nor voters,” said the head of the Belarusian election organization agency.