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17.08.2016

Belarus' CEC: Municipal authorities don't have to bring voters to meetings with candidates

MINSK (BelTA) – Municipal government agencies have no obligation to bring voters to meetings with the candidates that the voters are not interested in. Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina made the statement on the air of the Belarus One radio channel on 17 August, BelTA has learned.

In particular, Lidia Yermoshina pointed out that in every area municipal government agencies offer free premises for meetings and communication with voters. As a rule, the premises include libraries, community centers, and assembly halls in schools. The full list is available on websites of the municipal government agencies and in district election commissions. “Candidates are free to contact the authorities. The district commission has to help organize such meetings, equip the premises with some audio equipment or announce where and when such meetings are scheduled to take place,” she said.

“But if the candidate holds no appeal to people, then voters will not come to the meeting. And municipal government agencies don't have to bring people to such meetings,” noted Lidia Yermoshina.

Speaking about street pickets, the head of the Belarusian election organization agency noted that candidates or their plenipotentiaries are supposed to notify municipal government agencies about where and when they intend to arrange such pickets.

Elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus are scheduled for 11 September. Over 520 candidates for 110 parliamentary seats have been registered. Election canvassing is in progress now. Candidates are encouraged to distribute agitation materials, meet with voters, make speeches on radio and television, take part in televised debates, and publish their programs in mass media.