Collection of signatures for nomination of presidential candidates begins in Belarus

MINSK. Nov 7 (Interfax) - Collection of signatures for the nomination of presidential candidates began in Belarus on Thursday, the Belarusian Central Elections Commission (CEC) said.

"Signatures can be collected exceptionally by members of an initiative group" in places allowed by local executive and regulatory bodies, as well as places of residence and work of voters, CEC said. "An initiative group member must carry a proper id and document with a photo to confirm the member's identity," it said.

The registered initiative groups must collect at least 100,000 signatures to nominate a presidential candidate. A voter may sign up for several candidates.

"Participation of an organization's administration in the collection of signatures, as well as coercion in the process of collecting signatures and rewarding voters for submitting a signature, are not permitted," the CEC said.

It was reported earlier that the Belarusian presidential election will take place on January 26, 2025. The Belarusian CEC registered seven group for nomination of presidential candidates. These are incumbent Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Republican Party of Labor and Justice leader Alexander Khizhnyak, Liberal Democratic Party leader, member of the parliament lower chamber Oleg Gaidukevich, and head of the Minsk Executive City Committee's Department for Ideological Work and Youth Affairs Olga Chemodanova, former members of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament Anna Kanopatskaya, head of the Belarusian Union of Officers Sergei Bobrikov and Belarusian Communist Party leader Sergei Syrankov.

Signatures will be collected until December 6, with presidential candidates to be registered on December 22-31. Early voting is scheduled for January 21-25.