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Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Art. 14: Elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus shall be held within the united constituency comprising the whole territory of the Republic of Belarus.
Art. 15: 110 electoral circuits are created for the holding of elections of deputies of the House of Representatives on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 14 & 15: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
BD002
Question: The authority responsible for final approval of the constituency boundaries is:
Answer(s):
c . The Electoral Management Body
Comments: The drafts of the constituencies are pre-formed by the local organs of the executive power.
Source: Code of Elections, article 16.
Verified: 2002/09/09
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
a . "Equality" of population c . Compactness of constituencies
Comments: 110 electoral circuits are created for the holding of elections of deputies of the House of Representatives on the territory of the Republic of Belarus. Electoral circuits are created with an approximately equal number of electors: deviation of the number of electors in the electoral circuit may not exceed 10 percent.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 15: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
BD004
Question: If population is a criterion, which population figure is used?
Answer:
d . Number of voters in last election
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 15.
Verified: 2002/07/17
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
e . Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Comments: Electoral circuits for the elections of deputies of the House of Representatives are created by the Central Commission upon submissions of the regional and the Minsk City Executive Committees.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 16: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
BD006
Question: What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?
Answer(s):
c . Changes in numbers of registered voters
Comments: If the number of registered voters exceeds more than 10% of the established average number of voters in constituencies of the Republic.
Source: Code on Elections, articles 15-16 and 20-21.
Verified: 2002/08/21
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: The President is the head of state, elected directly by the people of the Republic of Belarus. The elections shall be deemed to have taken place where over half the citizens of the Republic of Belarus on the electoral roll have taken part in the poll. The President shall be deemed elected where over half the citizens of the Republic of Belarus who took part in the poll voted for him. Where no candidate polls the requisite number of votes, within two weeks a second round of voting shall be conducted between the two candidates who obtained the largest number of votes. The presidential candidate who obtains more than half the votes of those who took part in the second poll shall be deemed to be elected.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 79, 81 & 82: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
e . Appointed
Comments: The Prime minister shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Belarus with the consent of the House of Representatives. The decision to this order shall be taken by the House of Representatives within two weeks since the nomination of the candidacy of the Prime minister. If the House of Representatives rejects the submitted nomination of the Prime minister twice, the President shall appoint the acting Prime minister on his own, and dissolve the House of Representatives and call new elections.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 106: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The President of the Republic of Belarus shall be the Head of the State, the guarantor of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, the rights and freedoms of man and of the citizen.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 79–89: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The Parliament consists of two chambers - the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 90: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
a . Plurality (FPTP)
Comments: Elections of , deputies of House of Representatives are free and are held on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret voting.
Elections of the deputies of the House of Representatives are held at single electoral circuits.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 87: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ES006
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 2 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
l . Other
Comments: 56 members are elected indirectly (regional councils and council of Minsk). 8 are appointed by the Head of State.
Source: Constitution, article 91.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES007
Question: If List PR is used, is a highest average formula used?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments: List PR is not used.
Source:
Verified: 2002/07/15
ES008
Question: What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 1?
Answer(s):
b . Specially delimited constituencies
Comments: There are 110 constituencies.
Source: Code on Elections, article 15.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES009
Question: What is the level at which seats are distributed in Chamber 2?
Answer(s):
e . Other
Comments: 56 members are elected indirectly in the regional councils and council of Minsk. 8 members are appointed by the President.
Source: Constitution, article 91.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES010
Question: Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 1 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections
Verified: 2002/07/15
ES012
Question: Are special constituencies or seats reserved in Chamber 2 for specific groups, such as minorities, specific nationality or other groups?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections
Verified: 2002/07/15
ES014
Question: What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 1?
Answer:
c . Not applicable
Comments: Only candidates compete in elections not parties.
Source: Code on Elections, articles 62, 63 and 65.
Verified: 2003/03/24
ES015
Question: What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a party to win seats in Chamber 2?
Answer:
c . Not applicable
Comments: Parties are not competing in elections, but the candidates can be members of the parties. The membership is not a disqualifying reason.
Source: Code on Elections, article 98.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES016
Question: What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 1?
Answer:
a . No minimum
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 82.
Verified: 2002/08/28
ES017
Question: What is the legally imposed minimum threshold of votes required by a candidate (independent/party) to win a seat in Chamber 2?
Answer:
c . Not applicable
Comments: 56 members are elected indirectly (regional councils and council of Minsk), the rules of it differs. 8 are appointed by the Head of State.
Source: Code on Elections Chapter IV. Art. 106.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES018
Question: Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 1, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
Answer(s):
a . At fixed intervals (specify length)
Comments: Every four years.
Source: Constitution, article 93.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES019
Question: Regarding the timing of the elections for Chamber 2, which of the following is true? Elections take place:
Answer(s):
a . At fixed intervals (specify length)
Comments: Every four years.
Source: Constitution, article 93.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES020
Question: Regarding Chamber 1 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
Answer:
a . Voting takes place on one day
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 56.
Verified: 2002/09/09
ES021
Question: Regarding Chamber 2 elections (excluding advance voting, postal voting, etc):
Answer:
b . Voting takes place over a period of 2 or more days
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 102.
Verified: 2002/09/09
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation e . Other
Comments: Electoral Code, art. 2:
Legal basis of electoral system, of referendum is constituted by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, this Code and other acts of legislation of the Republic of Belarus, resolutions of the Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus on Elections and Holding Republican Referendums.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 64–78: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 2: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
LF002
Question: What is the date of the latest version of the national electoral law (including latest amendments)?
Answer:
a . January 2000 or later
Comments: Last amendment of Code of Elections - 4 July 2000.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums.
centrizb(a)pmrb.gov.by
Verified: 2006/11/20
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections b . Regional elections c . Local elections d . Referendums
Comments: This Code regulates relations arising when preparing and holding elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus, elections and recall of deputies of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, of members of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter – Council of the Republic), of deputies of local Councils of Deputies of the Republic of Belarus, as well as while preparing and holding a referendum (popular vote) and establishes guarantees ensuring free will of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 1: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: Citizens of the Republic of Belarus shall have the right to vote freely and to be elected to state bodies on the basis of universal, equal, direct or indirect suffrage by secret ballot.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 38 & 65: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 5: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
LF005
Question: Are there provisions in the law which permit or require regional and/ or local election (s) to be held on the same day as national elections?
Answer:
a . National elections are not held on the same day as regional or local elections
Comments: It is neither forbidden nor necessary to hold national, local and regional elections on the same day.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums.
centrizb(a)pmrb.gov.by
Verified: 2006/11/20
LF006
Question: Are there provisions in the law which permit or require presidential election (s) to be held on the same day as national legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Presidential elections are not held on the same day as national legislative elections
Comments: There are no such provisions in the law. However, on the basis of last elections, the dates do not concide: elections for Chamber 1 were held on 15 October 2000, for Chamber 2 were held on 19 December 2000, and Presidential elections were held on September 2001.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2006/11/20
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary b . EMB
Comments: Powers of the Central Commission: 26) consider appeals against decisions of election commissions and take decisions on them;
27) consider appeals of citizens and organizations on issues of holding of elections;
33) exercise other powers in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus. Decisions of the Central Commission may be appealed against in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus in the cases provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 79: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
LF008
Question: If the agency(ies) which settles formal disputes is/are specially appointed/elected; by whom?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: The agency which settles formal disputes is not specially elected.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/28
LF009
Question: Who has the right to submit cases to the person or agency(ies)which settles formal disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Candidates c . Voters d . Foreign/International Observers
Comments:
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/21
LF010
Question: What body(ies) is the final appellate authority for formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Electoral Management Body c . Superior Court
Comments: There are a few questions in which local court is the first level authority and the appellate authority is court of higher instance
In questions concerning annulation of the results the Central Election Commission is responsible.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2006/11/20
LF011
Question: Which body(ies) proposes electoral reforms?
Answer(s):
c . Government f . Other
Comments: Any of the representatives in Chamber 1 and Chamber 2 or 50.000 citizens.
Source: Constitution, article 99.
Verified: 2006/11/20
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level b . Regional level c . Local level
Comments: The Central Commission is a state body, organizing within the bounds of its powers preparation and holding of elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus, deputies of the House of Representatives, members of the Council of the Republic, deputies of local councils of deputies, holding of republican referenda.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 26: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM003
Question: The national electoral management body reports to:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature f . Other
Comments: c) Central Election Commission reports to the Parliament on expenditure costs from the state budget.
f) Otherwise the Commission is a independent state organization that is accountable to citizens who are eligible to vote (has to inform them, etc.)
Source: The Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus, amended as of June 6, 2015, No. 370-Z, art. 32-1, 33: http://law.by/main.aspx?guid=3871&p0=Hk0000370ee
Verified: 2016/06/09
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Expenditures for preparation and holding of elections shall be covered by the State within the limits of the funds assigned for this purpose. In instances determined by the law, expenditures for preparation and holding of elections may be covered at the expense of funds of public associations, enterprises, institutions, organisations and citizens.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 70: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 48: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Central Commission within its competence:
- makes up and approves estimates of costs for the holding of elections, a republican referendum or recall of a deputy of the House of Representatives
- informs the House of Representatives on spending funds allocated from budget for holding of elections, republican referendum, recall of a deputy of the House of Representatives; and publishes the report on the use of funds from the non-budgetary fund.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 48: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: Term of powers of the Central Commission is 5 years and begins from the day of its formation in legally capable membership.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 71: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 32: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM007
Question: The national electoral management body chairperson, or equivalent, is chosen in the following way:
Answer(s):
d . Presidential/ Prime Minister appointment
Comments: The chairman is appointed by the President but the council of the Republic must agree with this decision.
Source: Law on Central Election Commission, article 3.
Verified: 2002/07/17
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 71: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
b . 11 - 20 members (specify)
Comments: The Central Commission is formed with 12 persons from the citizens of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 32: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
c . Combination of partisanship and expertise
Comments: The Central Commission is formed with 12 persons from the citizens of the Republic of Belarus, having, as a rule, higher juridical education and experience in organizing and holding elections and referenda.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 32: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
a . Head of State e . Legislature
Comments: Six members of the Central Commission are appointed by the President of the Republic of Belarus and six members are elected by the Council of the Republic. Candidates to the members of the Central Commission are recommended respectively to the President of the Republic of Belarus and to the Council of the Republic by joint decisions of the presidiums of regional, Minsk City Councils of Deputies and regional, Minsk City executive committees.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 32: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body b . Regional Electoral Management Bodies c . Local/County Electoral Management Bodies d . National Government g . NGOs/ Civic Organizations h . Political parties/ candidates i . Media
Comments:
Source: Central Election Commission of Belarus: http://www.rec.gov.by/ru
Verified: 2023/09/13
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: Central Election Commission of Belarus: http://www.rec.gov.by/ru
Verified: 2023/09/13
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Central Election Commission of Belarus: http://www.rec.gov.by/ru
Verified: 2023/09/13
VE004
Question: What types of voter education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Poster/ Billboard campaigns b . Media advertisement e . Public meetings g . Internet
Comments:
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/21
VE005
Question: What types of civic education activities were carried out at the most recent national elections?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments: No civic education activities were carried out.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/21
VE006
Question: Special voter education programs were developed at the most recent national elections for:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: No special voter education programs were developed.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/09/09
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Elections of deputies and other persons elected to state offices by the people shall be general: citizens of the Republic of Belarus who have reached the age of 18 shall be eligible to vote.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 64: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 4: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments: Citizens shall have the right to vote freely and to be elected to state bodies on the basis of universal, equal, direct or indirect suffrage by secret ballot.
Citizens who are deemed incapable by a court or kept in places of confinement in accordance with a court sentence, and persons in respect of whom detention is selected under the procedure established by the criminal procedural legislation shall not take part in elections.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 38 & 64: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 4: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VR003
Question: What restrictions on registering to vote and voting exist in the country?
Answer(s):
a . Criminal Incarceration c . Detention d . Mental disability f . Multiple Citizenship
Comments: d) Persons found incapable by the court.
Source: Code on Elections, article 4.
Verified: 2002/08/21
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
e . Other
Comments: Lists of the citizens having the right to participate in elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus, deputies of the House of Representatives, deputies of local Councils of Deputies, referendum, in voting on the recall of a deputy of the House of Representatives, deputy of local Councils of Deputies shall be drawn up for every voting precinct and be signed by the chairperson and the secretary of the precinct commission.
City, rural, settlement executive committees, and in the cities with district division – local administrations, district executive committees in the cities and urban-type settlements where the city and settlement executive committees are not created, ensure recording of participants and transfer to the precinct commissions of lists of the citizens of the Republic of Belarus registered on the territory of the respective voting precincts and having the right to participate in elections, referendum, voting on recall of a deputy signed by the chairperson of respective executive committees, and in the cities with district division – by the heads of local administrations.
Lists of the citizens who are military personnel being in military units, as well as the members of their families and other voters, participants of referendum residing in the areas where military units are located shall be drawn on the basis of the data submitted by commanders of the military units. Servicemen residing outside military units are included into the lists of citizens having the right to participate in elections, referendum, voting on recall of a deputy, at the place of residence on common terms.
Lists of the citizens having the right to participate in elections, referendum, voting on recall of a deputy by the polling stations created in sanatoriums, preventoriums, rest houses, hospitals and other healthcare organizations providing in-patient medical assistance are drawn on the basis of the data being submitted by heads of the mentioned institutions.
Lists of the citizens having the right to participate in elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus, deputies of the House of Representatives, in republican referendum, by the voting precincts created outside the Republic of Belarus are drawn on the basis of the data submitted by the heads of diplomatic representations (consular institutions) of the Republic of Belarus acting on the territory of respective foreign states.
Surnames of citizens in the list are indicated in the order convenient to hold voting.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 13: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VR005
Question: What is the registration method for national elections?
Answer:
b . Voters register
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, chapter 2.
Verified: 2002/07/17
VR006
Question: How frequently is the voters register updated?
Answer:
c . Periodically (or before each election)
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, articles 20 and 21.
Verified: 2002/08/21
VR007
Question: What methods are used to compile and update the voters register?
Answer(s):
b . Links to police records of residence f . Door-to-door registration campaign
Comments:
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/21
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Lists of the citizens having the right to participate in elections shall be drawn up for every voting precinct and be signed by the chairperson and the secretary of the precinct commission.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 19: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Nomination of candidates for deputies of the House of Representatives from political parties is carried out by the supreme bodies of political parties.
Nomination of candidates for deputies of the regional, Minsk City, district and city (in the cities of regional subordination) Councils of Deputies from political parties is carried out respectively by their regional, Minsk city, district and city governing bodies of regional, Minsk city, district, city organizational structures created in the established order prior to the calling of elections.
Nomination of candidates for deputies of the city (in the cities of regional subordination), settlement or rural Councils of Deputies from the political parties is carried out respectively by governing bodies of district, city organizational structures created in the established order prior to the calling of elections. Candidates for deputies of the city (cities of district subordination), settlement and rural Councils of Deputies may be nominated by the primary organizations of political parties created in the established order on the territory of those local Councils of Deputies prior to the calling of elections.
A political party is entitled to nominate for each electoral circuit for elections to the House of Representatives and the respective local Council of Deputies only one deputy from the members of that political party.
The list of registered political parties is submitted by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to the Central Commission not later than five days after the calling of the elections.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 62: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC002
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
g . No information available h . Not applicable
Comments: The Council of the Republic shall be a house of territorial representation. The Council of the Republic shall be composed of eight deputies from every region (oblast) and the city of Minsk, elected by secret ballot at the sittings of deputies of local councils of deputies of base level of every region (oblast) and the city of Minsk. Eight members of the Council of the Republic shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Constitution, article 91.
Verified: 2016/06/13
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: a) 21 years old
b) Permanent residency
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 92: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 57: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC004
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 2)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship d . Residence
Comments: a) 18 years old.
Source: Constitution, articles 97 and 98.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC005
Question: What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship c . Country of birth d . Residence
Comments: a) 35 years old.
d) Permanent residence in Belarus for at least the last ten years prior to the election of the President.
Source: Constitution, article 80.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC006
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
Answer(s):
a . Current criminal incarceration b . Detention e . Offences against electoral law g . Holding of government office k . Mental health problems l . Multiple Citizenship n . Holding of other public offices (police etc.)
Comments: g) A candidate cannot be a member of the municipality council, president of the Republic or a member of the Council of the Republic.
n) Judge.
Source: Code on Elections, article 59.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC007
Question: What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
a . Current criminal incarceration b . Detention e . Offences against electoral law k . Mental health problems l . Multiple Citizenship
Comments: e) For example, Code on Elections article 75 (if the programme of the candidate contains incise for war).
l) It is not possible to have multiple citizenship according to the Belarusian Law.
Source: Code on Elections, chapter 5.
Verified: 2002/08/28
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus are be nominated by citizens of the Republic of Belarus provided the signatures of not less than 100 thousand voters have been collected.
Nomination of candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus starts 80 days and ends 50 days prior to the elections.
The right to nominate candidates for deputies belongs to political parties registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus not later than six months before the appointment of election, labour groups as well as citizens by way of gathering signatures.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 60: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC009
Question: If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1), what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify)
Comments: Candidates for the House of Representatives can be proposed either by the
-registered political party
-labour group
- at least 10 voters - only in that case signatures have to be collected (1.000 signatures)
Source: Code on Elections, articles 65.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC010
Question: If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 2), what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
d . Other
Comments: 56 (indirectly elected) of the 61 members of the Council of the Republic must be proposed by the regional legislature. The other 8 members are appointed by the head of State.
Source: Constitution, article 91.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC011
Question: If independent candidates can compete in presidential elections, what are the registration requirements?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify)
Comments: Candidates for the Presidency have to be proposed either by the registered political parties or by the citizens via collecting signatures (100.000)
Source: Code on Elections, article 60.
Verified: 2002/08/21
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments: Parties do not compete in elections. They can only nominate candidates for the deputies. Those candidates nominated by the parties have media access.
Political parties are not entitled to provide other material aid during the preparation and the holding of elections except for contributing monetary funds into the non-budgetary fund and electoral funds of candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus, of deputies.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46 & 48: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC013
Question: If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
Answer(s):
d . Not Applicable
Comments: Political parties do not receive direct or indirect public funding. Only candidates nominated by parties are entitled to funding.
Source: Code on Elections, article 45.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC014
Question: If political parties receive indirect public funding, identify the type of funding:
Answer(s):
e . Not Applicable
Comments: Only candidates nominated by parties are entitled to funding.
Source: Kisiljova Nadezda Nikolajevna- Lawyer of the Central Election Commission
Tel.: +375-17-227-19-15
Verified: 2002/08/21
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC016
Question: If political parties receive public funding, what is the specified purpose?
Answer(s):
e . Not Applicable
Comments: Only candidates nominated by political parties receive funding.
Source: Code on Elections, article 45.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Political parties, other public associations, organizations and citizens of the Republic of Belarus are not entitled to provide other material aid during the preparation and the holding of elections or referendum except for contributing monetary funds into the non-budgetary fund and electoral funds of candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus, of deputies, specified by part one of this Article.
Direct or indirect participation in financing and other material aid of foreign states and organizations, foreign citizens and stateless persons, international organizations, organizations the founders (participants, owners of property) of which are foreign states, foreign organizations, international organizations, foreign citizens and stateless persons during preparation and holding of elections, referendum, recall of a deputy, member of the Council of the Republic is prohibited.
Use by a person nominated a candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus, to deputies or by a candidate for the President of the Republic of Belarus of financial means or other material aid in violation of the requirements of part nine of this Article entails respectively the denial of registration of the candidate or revocation of the decision on his registration.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 48: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
PC018
Question: If political parties are entitled to private funding, for what period?
Answer(s):
d . Not Applicable
Comments: Contributions are given to the common fund (the private fundings can not be given to the separate candidates only to the common fund the trustee of which is the Central Election Commission)and can be spent only for the organizing and conducting of the elections. The funds are distributed among the candidates and not the parties.
Source: Code on Elections, article 48.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC019
Question: Which of the following party financing provisions are applicable?
Answer(s):
j . Not applicable
Comments: Only candidates nominated by political parties can receive funding.
Source:
Verified: 2002/08/21
PC020
Question: Which of the following candidate financing provisions are applicable?
Answer(s):
c . Prohibition on candidate funding from foreign sources
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 48 and 49.
Verified: 2002/09/09
PC021
Question: Who is responsible for administering and enforcing party income/funding regulations at national level?
Answer(s):
e . Not applicable
Comments: Parties are not entitled to neither direct nor indirect funding- only the candidates
Source: Kisiljova Nadezda Nikolajevna- Lawyer of the Central Election Commission
Tel.: +375-17-227-19-15
Verified: 2002/07/16
Vote Counting
VC001
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Single ballot (all registered parties listed) d . Categorical (only one mark allowed) l . No photos or logos, only party and/or candidate names m . Organized alphabetically r . Other
Comments: r) Ballots have to be signed by at least two members of the Electoral Commission and confirmed by the regional electoral commission.
The ballot is printed in either Russian or in Belarussian. p>
Source: Code on Elections, article 72.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC002
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at national legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
Answer(s):
a . Single ballot (all registered parties listed) l . No photos or logos, only party and/or candidate names m . Organized alphabetically r . Other
Comments: r. The ballot is printed in either Russian or Belarussian.
Source: Code on Elections, article 104.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC003
Question: What are the characteristics of ballots used at presidential elections?
Answer(s):
a . Single ballot (all registered parties/candidates listed) d . Categorical (only possible to make one mark) l . No photos or logos, only party and/or candidate names m . Organized alphabetically r . Other
Comments: r) Ballots have to be confirmed by the regional electoral commission.
Ballots are printed either in Russian or in Belarussian.
Source: Code on Elections, article 72.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: Opening of the ballot boxes and counting of votes when holding the elections carried out in the following order: first the ballots kept in the ballot box used during early voting shall be counted, then those kept in portable boxes used for voting at the place of location of voters or participants in the referendum and, after that, in ballot boxes kept on the day of elections or referendum in the room of the voting precinct. The results of counting of votes are announced by the chairperson of the commission.
Counting of votes of the voters shall be performed directly by the members of the precinct commission without interruption till obtaining the results of the voting.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 55: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VC006
Question: Following the sorting and counting, to where are the results first transmitted for consolidation?
Answer(s):
b . Sub-district level
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 55.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC007
Question: At what levels are seats allocated?
Answer(s):
b . District level c . Regional level (specify whether it is constituency/ province/ state/ department/other) d . National level
Comments: b) Candidates to the House of Representatives are elected in the special constituencies: there are 110 districts.
c) Election of members to the Council of the Republic: they represent the region or the capital city - 56 of them are elected.
d) Presidential elections: the whole country is one constituency
Source: Code on Elections, articles 14 and 15.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC008
Question: How are the initial/preliminary polling results transmitted and communicated to the different levels?
Answer(s):
a . Physically transported
Comments: Minutes performed by the election commissions of different levels are transported physically accompanied by the chairman of the commission and some other members.
Source: Code on Elections, article 55.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC009
Question: If the polling results are physically transported, what is transported?
Answer(s):
f . Certificate of result
Comments: Minutes of the voting results are transported.
Source: Code on Elections, article 55.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC010
Question: If the polling results are physically transported, what security measures are used?
Answer(s):
c . Signatures on sealed envelopes e . Accompanied by election officials
Comments: Chairman of the election commission in any case has to accompany the transported minutes.
Source: Kisiljova Nadezda Nikolajevna - Lawyer of the Central Election Commission. Tel. +375-17-227-19-15
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
c . Automatically (triggered) recounted under certain conditions d . By request
Comments: In case of detection of mistakes and irregularities in the protocols of precinct, territorial or circuit electoral commissions as well as of other violations committed in the course of voting or during the count of votes, the regional, Minsk city territorial electoral commission, on its own initiative or the application of the candidate, is entitled to take a decision on a recount of votes by the respective territorial or circuit electoral commission.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 79, 83: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VC012
Question: If automatically recounted, what is the trigger?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments: Results are not automatically recounted.
Source: Code on Election, article 82.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC013
Question: If ballots are recounted by request, who can make the request?
Answer(s):
c . Election officials
Comments: In case that the minutes of the precinct and those of the district election commission do not concide, or that other violations to the regulations of the Code of Elections occur, the upper election commission orders a recount of the results on the basis of the election officials request.
Source: Code on Elections, article 82.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC014
Question: If recounted, who conducts the recount?
Answer(s):
b . Regional Election Management body
Comments: The recount of the votes is conducted by the district election commission (there are 110 districts) in the presence of at least one member of the Central Election Commission. If it is necessary, a member of the precinct election commission can also be present.
Source: Code on Elections, article 82.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC015
Question: Are preliminary results announced?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Not later than 5 days after the first round of Presidential or Parliamentarian Elections.
Source: Ms Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums.
centrizb(a)pmrb.gov.by
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC017
Question: Is there a legal requirement for the declaration of the officially certified results?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 84.
Verified: 2009/11/04
VC018
Question: How long after the close of polls is the certified results publicly announced? (if there is no legal requirement enter the average time)
Answer:
b . days:
Comments: The results must be published:
-within 10 days on Presidential elections
-within 5 days on Parliamentarian elections after the first round
-within 3 days after the Central Election Commission signed the minutes on the election results.
Source: Code on Elections, articles 79, 82, and 85.
Verified: 2009/11/04
Media and Elections
ME001
Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Name and Title: Attila Vincze
Job Title: Researcher
Organisation: ACEEEO
Contact Address: Budapest, V. Alkotmany street 25. Hungary Postal Address: Budapest, P.O. BOX: 81. 1450 Hungary
Telephone: + 36 1 354 02 65
Facsimile: + 36 1 354 02 64
Email: [email protected]
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/08/20
ME002
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations are present at a national level in your country?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned b . Government owned c . Privately owned
Comments: It is very difficult to make a difference between state owned government owned radios.
Private radios broadcast mainly from abroad, Ministry of Information tries to controll FM broadcaster even intensively.
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME003
Question: Which of the following types of television stations are present at a national level in your country?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME004
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers are present at a national level in your country?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned b . Government owned c . Privately owned
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME005
Question: Which of the following do you believe best describes the print media situation at the national level in your country?
Answer:
a . Government newspaper holds a monopoly
Comments: There exist private media, however it is mainly oppressed by the Government.
State-owned media are extensively subsidized, whereas independent media are forced to shoulder high taxes and fees on printing and distribution.
The independent press depends heavily on foreign assistance because of discriminatory pricing at state printing houses and difficulties in attracting advertisements from state-owned companies.
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME006
Question: What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of private radio stations?
Answer:
b . 30% to 60%
Comments: The independent private radio stations of Belarusian origin have changed their place of business to Poland or Lithuania, some broadcast from Russia. These station are heavily controlled by the State, however it is possible to receive their program.
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME008
Question: What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of private television stations?
Answer:
d . Not applicable: no private television stations exist
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME009
Question: In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
Answer(s):
b . Private radio e . Print media
Comments: Print media: only private media
radio: Belarusian radio stations broadcasting from abroad
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, op. cit
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME014
Question: What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of the public television stations?
Answer:
a . Over 60%
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME015
Question: What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of the national level programming of the public radio stations?
Answer:
a . Over 60 %
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME016
Question: In your opinion, upon which types of media at national level in your country do citizens most rely as a source of information? Mark the most important source with 1, and the second most important source with 2:
Answer(s):
d . Public television h . Other (specify)
Comments: The State run electronic media enjoys the state-monopoly of the sources of information, and as such has the biggest potency to influence the people.
More critical voices against the ruling Belarusian Government can be heard only from abroad, Russian sources are available, however they are facing even more oppression.
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME017
Question: In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
Answer(s):
b . Private radio e . Print media
Comments: Print media: only private ones
radio: Belarusian radio stations broadcasting from abroad
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME020
Question: Who grants licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
Answer:
a . Government
Comments: Broadcast licenses are given on competitive grounds by a state body selected by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Law On Press and Mass Media
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME021
Question: Who is allowed to hold broadcasting licenses?
Answer(s):
a . Political parties b . Private companies c . Non governmental organisations f . State owned companies g . Other
Comments: Citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign and stateless citizens, state bodies, political parties, other non-governmental organisations, other legal entities (including foreign legal entities) and also state bodies can found mass media.
Source: Law on Press and Mass Media, art 10
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME023
Question: Are any journalists currently imprisoned or facing criminal charges for exercising their profession?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Libel suits were used in 2003 as a tool of repression and to settle personal scores. BDG journalist Iryna Makavetskaya was fined on October 1 in a criminal libel suit against her coverage of the investigation into the case of Jury Bandazheuski, a Homel University professor and Chernobyl activist sentenced to eight years in jail in 2001. Another libel suit was awarded on September 26, 2003, to the National State TV and Radio Company (NDTRK) against Maryna Koktysh, a journalist of Narodnaja Volia, and Eleanora Jazerskaja, a former employee of the First National Channel (BT-1), for accusing NDTRK head Jahor Rybakou of taking Jazerskajas show off the air and facilitating the overall decay of BT-1. Narodnaja Volia was hit with a fine of 50 million Belarusian rubles (US$24,000), and Jazerskaja and Koktysh were fined 3 million rubles (US$1,400) each. NDTRK appealed the sentence, and the appeal court increased the fines by five times for Narodnaja Volia and three times for Jazerskaja.
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME024
Question: What legal instruments are used to regulate media coverage of elections?
Answer(s):
a . Law b . Secondary legislation (e.g. regulations)
Comments: Electoral Code
Resolutions of the Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus for Elections and Nationwide Referenda
Source: Electoral Code
Resolutions of the Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus for Elections and Nationwide Referenda
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME025
Question: Which of the following bodies or agencies has a responsibility in the regulation of media coverage of elections?
Answer(s):
c . Government g . EMB by law or regulations
Comments:
Source: Art 4 Law on CCE, Law on press and mass media, ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME026
Question: What form does the responsibility, if any, of the EMB to regulate media coverage of elections take?
Answer(s):
b . Requiring balance in media news coverage of an election c . Placing limits on when the media may report about an election
Comments:
Source: Art 45 Electoral Code, resolutions of cce on use of mass media
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME027
Question: Does the EMB monitor media coverage of elections?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Resolutions of cce on use of mass media
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME028
Question: What form does the authority, if any, of the EMB to enforce remedies or sanctions against the media in case of breach of the rules on media coverage of elections take?
Answer(s):
d . Not applicable
Comments: Ministry of Information is entitled to enforce media regulation
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME029
Question: Do political parties or candidates have a right to have their replies to inaccurate or misleading media coverage published promptly and free of charge?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Theoretcally there is a possibility, practically it does not function.
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
REPUBLIC OF BELARUS PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
17 October 2004
OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME030
Question: What is the legal liability of the media if they report unlawful statements by candidates during election campaigns (e.g. defamatory or inflammatory speeches)?
Answer(s):
a . Criminal prosecution b . Administrative sanction c . Other (specify)
Comments: To repress the opposition the Governmnet use non legal instruments, as well.
Source: OSCE report on parliamentary election 2004
Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME031
Question: Have the media or journalists' organisations adopted a code of ethics specific to elections? Please send us a copy.
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: There exist a code of ethics this is during the elections to apply
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME032
Question: If so, how well do you perceive this code of ethics to be respected?
Answer(s):
c . Seldom respected
Comments:
Source: Freedom House, von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 457 et seq.
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME033
Question: Which body, if any, is responsible for regulating free or paid access of political parties or candidates to the media during election campaigns.
Answer:
a . EMB
Comments:
Source: Art 4 Law on Central Commission of Elections
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME034
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide political parties with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME035
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide political parties with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME036
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide political parties with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
law on press and mass media
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance
Comments: The state mass media, mass media partially financed from the state budget or local budgets as well as mass media, one of the founders of which is state bodies or organizations, are obliged to provide equal opportunities for electoral statements of candidates, publishing and promulgation of issues, texts of draft laws put forward for referendum, holding the agitation on elections, referendum.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ME039
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME040
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME041
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspaper provide individual candidates (legislative) with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME042
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to individual candidates (legislative)?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size and previous performance
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME043
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with paid broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: OSCE report on parliamentary elections in Belarus, 2004
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME044
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: OSCE report on parliamentary elections in Belarus, 2004
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME045
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide individual candidates (legislative) with printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: OSCE report on parliamentary elections in Belarus, 2004
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME046
Question: What are the criteria for allocating paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space to individual candidates (legislative)?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: OSCE report on parliamentary elections in Belarus, 2004
ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME047
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide presidential candidates with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq., 74 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME048
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide presidential candidates with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq., 74 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME049
Question: Which of the following daily and weekly newspapers provide presidential candidates with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq., 74 Electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME050
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to presidential candidates?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size and previous performance of candidate's party
Comments: There are heavy bias in the practice in favour of ruling president
Source: Art 45 et seq., 74 electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME051
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide presidential candidates with paid broadcast time for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME052
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide presidential candidates with paid broadcast for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME053
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide presidential candidates with paid printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME054
Question: What are the criteria for allocating paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space to presidential candidates?
Answer(s):
i . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and elections, Belarus
art 45 et seq., 74 electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: The Central Commission reserves a part of the limit time as to hold TV debates of the candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus, deputies of the House of Representatives. The TV debates are held upon agreement of the candidates. The candidate is entitled to authorize an authorized person to participate in the TV debates. Failure to participate in the TV debates shall not result in increase of broadcasting time provided to the candidate for free.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/ ;
Three presidential contenders agree to take part in TV debates. Euroradio. 17 sep 2015: https://euroradio.fm/en/three-presidential-contenders-agree-take-part-tv-debates
Verified: 2023/09/13
ME061
Question: Which of the following information in reporting the results of opinion polls are required to be disclosed by law?
Answer(s):
a . Person or agency that commissioned the opinion poll b . Geographical coverage c . Characteristics of the sample d . Size of the sample e . Margin of error f . Other
Comments: Polling subject, methods of information gathering, criteria of respondents selection, full list of the posed questions with the number of the respondents on each not answered question, copies of the information quality assurance protocols if quality assurance was carried and also published poll based
material.
Source: Regulation of the Council of Ministers on the Opinion Poll Commission at the National Academy of Sciences
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
c . 4-5 days
Comments: Within the last five days prior to the elections it is not allowed to publish the results of public polls related to the elections, referendum, forecasts of their results.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 46: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
ME063
Question: Where, if at all, may exit polls be carried out?
Answer(s):
f . Not applicable
Comments: Not governed by law
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections, Belarus
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME064
Question: If exit polls are permitted, when can the results be disseminated via the media?
Answer(s):
e . Not applicable
Comments: Not governed by law
Source: ACEEEO questionnaire on Media and Elections
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME065
Question: When are the media, by law, allowed to report preliminary election results?
Answer:
b . After all polls close, before official results are available
Comments:
Source: Electoral code
CCE resolution on use of mass media
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME066
Question: Are the media allowed to project/predict winners before the final results are available?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: OSCE reports on elections, 2001, 2004
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME067
Question: What resources does the EMB have for its work with the media?
Answer(s):
e . Other (specify)
Comments: N.A.
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME068
Question: Have staff responsible for media relations received training for this work?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: N.A.
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME069
Question: Which of the following has the EMB produced or organised?
Answer(s):
b . Press releases d . Pre-recorded radio or TV slots e . Web site
Comments:
Source: http://www.rec.gov.by/
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME070
Question: Has the EMB provided or facilitated training for journalists in how the electoral process works?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: OSCE reports on Belarusian elections 2001, 2004
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME071
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations, provide free broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 13 electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME072
Question: Which of the following television stations provide free broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 13 electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME073
Question: Which of the following daily and weekly newspapers provide free print space to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
a . Publicly owned
Comments:
Source: Art 13 electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME074
Question: Which of the following types of radio stations provide paid broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments: Not governed by law
Source: Electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME075
Question: Which of the following types of television stations provide paid broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments: Not governed by law
Source: Electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME076
Question: Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide paid broadcast time or print space to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments: Not governed by law
Source: Electoral code
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME077
Question: What steps does the EMB take to make sure that it is communicating its message to the media?
Answer(s):
e . None of the above
Comments:
Source: OSCE reports on elections in Belarus, 2001, 2004
Verified: 2005/03/29
ME078
Question: Which of the following do you judge to be significant barriers to the EMB in communicating its message to the media?
Answer(s):
a . Insufficient staff with responsibility for media relations d . Other
Comments: Lack of motivation
Source: OSCE reports on Belarusian elections
Verified: 2006/04/03
ME079
Question: Overall, how effective do you judge the EMB's ability to communicate through the media during election campaigns to be?
Answer:
c . Not very effective
Comments:
Source: OSCE report on Belarusian elections
Freedom House
Verified: 2006/04/06
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/13
Direct Democracy
DD001
Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
Name and Title: Attila Vincze
Job Title: reserchear
Organisation: ACEEEO
Contact Address. Budapest, V. Alkotmany street 25. Hungary Postal Address: Budapest, P.O. BOX: 81. 1450 Hungary
Telephone: + 36 1 354 02 65
Facsimile: + 36 1 354 02 64
Email: [email protected]
Source
No Source
Verified
2009/08/20
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Citizens of the Republic of Belarus shall have the right to participate in settlement of state affairs, both directly and through freely elected representatives.
Article 37. The direct participation of citizens in administration of affairs of the society and the State shall be safeguarded by holding referenda, discussion of draft laws and issues of republican and local significance, and by other means specified by law.
Article 73. Republican and local referenda may be held to resolve the most important issues of the State and society.
Article 74. Republican referenda shall be called by the President of the Republic of Belarus on his own initiative as well as on the proposal of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic passed at their separate sittings by a majority of votes of the composition (full composition) of each House established by the Constitution, or on the proposal of no less than 450 thousand citizens eligible to vote, including no less than 30 thousand citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and the city of Minsk.
The President shall, after the submission in accordance with the law for his consideration of the proposals on holding the referendum of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic or of the citizens, call a republican referendum.
The date of referendum shall be set no later than three months from the day of issuing the edict of the President on holding the referendum.
The decisions adopted by the republican referendum shall be signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus.
Article 75. Local referenda shall be called by the corresponding local representative bodies on their initiative or on the proposal of no less than ten percent of the citizens eligible to vote and residing in the corresponding territory.
Article 76. Referenda shall be held by means of universal, free, equal and secret ballot.
Citizens of the Republic of Belarus eligible to vote take part in referenda.
Article 77. The decisions adopted by a referendum may be abolished or changed only by means of another referendum, unless the referendum determines otherwise.
Article 78. The procedure of holding republican and local referenda and a list of issues that may not be put to a referendum shall be determined by the law of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 37, 73–78: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The decision adopted by the referendum is signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus and is subject to the immediate and obligatory official publication after its signing.
The decision adopted by the referendum enters into force in 10 days after its official publication, unless other term is established therein.
The date of adoption of the decision by the referendum is deemed to be the date of the referendum.
Legal force of the decision adopted by a referendum is determined by the edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus on calling the referendum.
The decisions adopted by the referendum may be cancelled or changed only by means of a referendum, unless otherwise determined by the referendum.
If implementing the decision, adopted by the referendum, requires the issuance of a legal act, such act shall be adopted within five months from the date of entry into force of the decision adopted by the referendum.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 74: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 123 & 124: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: In case an initiative to hold the republican referendum is put forward by the citizens, they form a group for holding the referendum (hereinafter referred to as the «initiative group»), which includes not less than 100 citizens, enjoying voting right, from each region and the City of Minsk on the basis of approximately equal representation.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 74: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 114: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/ ;
International IDEA – Direct Democracy database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/72/45
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/ ;
International IDEA – Direct Democracy database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/72/45
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: On the basis of a presentation made by the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Belarus on the violations committed in the course of the referendum, the Central Commission has the right to take a decision on either holding a repeated voting, within one month, in the voting precincts and other territories, where violations were committed, or on holding a repeated voting within one year over the entire territory of the Republic of Belarus.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 129–152: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/ ;
International IDEA – Direct Democracy database: https://www.idea.int/data-tools/country-view/72/45
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD008
Question: What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for mandatory referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
Answer(s):
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD009
Question: What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for optional referendums at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
Answer(s):
a . Constitutional b . Specific laws/legislation
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD010
Question: What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for citizens' initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
Answer(s):
b . Specific laws/legislation
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD100
Question: What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to signature collection for an agenda initiative?
Answer(s):
e . Other (specify)
Comments: Signature collection for agenda initiative is not governed by law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD101
Question: What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to signature collection for a recall?
Answer(s):
c . Requirement for signature collectors to be registered electors e . Other (specify)
Comments: Collection of electors' signatures shall be performed only by the members of the initiative group. A signature list must contain only the signatures of the electors who live in one residence area within the territory of the district in which the question has been initiated to recall a deputy.
The electors supporting the proposal to initiate the question of recalling a deputy shall indicate in the list of signatures his surname, name and patronymic name, the date of birth, the series and number of passport, or the requisites of the certificate of the person substituting it and the date of signing, and shall sign. Signatures shall be enumerated.
Responsibility for authenticity of the data, contained in the signature list shall be borne by the member of the initiative group who collected the signatures. Personal autograph signature of the member of the initiative group, who collected the signatures, shall be put to every signature list in the presence of the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of the town (town subordinated to Oblast or region), settlement or rural executive committee, the head or the deputy head of the town district administration in the territory of which the signatures were collected and in towns and urbanised settlements where no town or settlement executive committees are formed in the presence of the chairman or the deputy chairman of the district executive committee and certified immediately after that with the seal of this body.
An elector shall be entitled to put his signature only in one signature list and only for himself personally.
Source: Art 136 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD102
Question: What form of checks are undertaken to verify signatures for a referendum?
Answer:
b . Sample of signatures checked
Comments:
Source: Art 61, 116 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD103
Question: What form of checks are undertaken to verify signatures for a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
b . Sample of signatures checked
Comments:
Source: Art 61, 116 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD104
Question: What form of checks are undertaken to verify signatures for a recall?
Answer:
b . Sample of signatures checked
Comments:
Source: Art 61, 137 electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD105
Question: Who is responsible for checking the signatures?
Answer(s):
a . Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms
Comments:
Source: Art 61 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD106
Question: Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a referendum?
Answer(s):
a . Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms
Comments:
Source: Art 13, 48 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD107
Question: Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in an initiative?
Answer(s):
a . Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms
Comments:
Source: Art 13, 48 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD108
Question: Which organisation(s), if any, is responsible for running non-partisan information or voter education campaigns to inform voters about the issue being addressed in a recall?
Answer(s):
a . Agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms
Comments:
Source: Art 13, 48 electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD109
Question: What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a referendum?
Answer(s):
a . Information booklets c . Radio broadcasts d . TV broadcasts f . Website
Comments:
Source: http://mail.ncpi.gov.by
http://www.rec.gov.by/
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD011
Question: What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for agenda initiatives at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
Answer(s):
b . Specific laws/legislation
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD110
Question: What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for an initiative?
Answer(s):
c . Radio broadcasts d . TV broadcasts e . Press advertisements f . Website
Comments:
Source: http://www.rec.gov.by/
http://mail.ncpi.gov.by/
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD111
Question: What activities, if any, are undertaken as part of non-partisan information or voter education campaigns for a recall?
Answer(s):
c . Radio broadcasts d . TV broadcasts f . Website
Comments:
Source: http://www.rec.gov.by/
http://mail.ncpi.gov.by
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD112
Question: Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a referendum?
Answer(s):
a . Compulsory registration of campaigners and campaign groups d . Restrictions on the sources of contributions e . Disclosure requirements
Comments:
Source: Art 114, 115 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD113
Question: Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in an initiative?
Answer(s):
a . Compulsory registration of campaigners and campaign groups d . Restrictions on the sources of contributions e . Disclosure requirements
Comments: only citzen's initiative is governed by law
Source: Art 114, 115 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD114
Question: Which of the following controls, if any, apply in relation to campaigning for or against the issue being addressed in a recall?
Answer(s):
a . Compulsory registration of campaigners and campaign groups
Comments:
Source: Art 134 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD115
Question: What is the period during which these controls apply for a referendum?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: Election campaign is the period from the day of official publication of the decision of the President of the Republic of Belarus or of the state body authorised by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus or by this Code on the appointment of elections as from the day of official publication of the election results;
Source: Art 155 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD116
Question: What is the period during which these controls apply for an initiative?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: Election campaign is the period from the day of official publication of the decision of the President of the Republic of Belarus or of the state body authorised by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus or by this Code on the appointment of elections as from the day of official publication of the election results;
Source: Art 155 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD117
Question: What is the period during which these controls apply for a recall?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: Election campaign is the period from the day of official publication of the decision of the President of the Republic of Belarus or of the state body authorised by the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus or by this Code on the appointment of elections as from the day of official publication of the election results;
Source: Art 155 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD118
Question: Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for a referendum? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
c . All campaign organisations
Comments:
Source: Art 46 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD119
Question: Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for an initiative? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
c . All campaign organisations
Comments: in case of a citizen's initiative
Source: Art 46 electoiral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD012
Question: What is the legal basis for the administrative requirements for recalls at the national level? Tick as appropriate and specify the relevant constitutional, legal or regulatory provisions below.
Answer(s):
b . Specific laws/legislation
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD120
Question: Which campaigners, if any, are entitled to some forms of public assistance for a recall? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
c . All campaign organisations
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq., 149 electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD121
Question: Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for a referendum? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
a . Financial grant b . Free media access
Comments:
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD122
Question: Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for an initiative? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
a . Financial grant b . Free media access
Comments: in case of citzen's initiative
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD123
Question: Which forms of public assistance, if any, are provided for a recall? Specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
a . Financial grant b . Free media access
Comments:
Source: art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD125
Question: Is the government permitted to campaign either in favour of or against any specific outcome to a referendum, initiatives or recall vote?
Answer(s):
b . No
Comments: The law does not allow to campaign, however the favoritism of many journailsts towards the Government ensures that Government has the opportunity to widespreadly present its opinion about a question.
Source: Art 45 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD127
Question: What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign for a recall?
Answer:
b . Signatories must be registered electors in a specific electoral district
Comments:
Source: Art 129 et seq. electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD013
When were direct democracy mechanisms first introduced into the legal framework at the national level? Date (yyyy)
Mandatory referendum
Optional referendum 1994
Citizens' initiative 1996
Agenda initiative 1994
Recall 1994
Not applicable
Source
: Art 72 et seq, 97, 99 138 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
To constitutional amandments adopted by a referendum see DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS On the compliance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Belarus of paragraphs 2.2, 2.5 and 3 of the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Belarus of 6 September 1996 "On the holding of a national referendum in the Republic of Belarus and measures for its guarantee
Verified
2009/08/20
DD015
Question: Who is responsible for managing the administration of direct democracy mechanisms at the national level?
Answer(s):
b . Independent electoral commission
Comments: Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus on Holding Elections and Republican Referenda
Source: Law on CCE, Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD016
Question: Does this agency/department also manage the administration of national elections?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Art 1 Law on CCE, Art 33 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD017
Question: Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Belarus is a unitary state
Source: Art 1 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD018
Question: Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Belarus is a unitary state
Source: Art 1 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD019
Question: Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Belarus is a unitary state.
Source: Art 1 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD020
Question: Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Belarus is a unitary state
Source: Art 1 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD021
Question: Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments: Belarus is a unitary state
Source: Art 1 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD022
Question: Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer:
c . No
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD023
Question: Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer:
a . Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD024
Question: Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer:
c . No
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD025
Question: Are agenda initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer:
c . No
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD026
Question: Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
Answer:
a . Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes
Comments:
Source: Art 73 et seq Constitution, 125 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD027
Question: What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
Answer(s):
k . None
Comments:
Source: 73 et seq Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD028
Question: What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
Answer(s):
a . Constitutional amendments b . Adoption of international treaties c . Transfer of authority to international bodies d . National sovereignty, national self-determination f . Devolution g . Civil service i . Other public policy issues j . Other (specify)
Comments: The following subjects cannot be subjects of referenda:
any questions, which may lead to violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions pertaining to election and dismissal of the President of the Republic of Belarus and appointment (election or dismissal) of officials whose appointment (election or dismissal) is within the competence of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Chambers of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions on adopting and amending the budget and introducing, changing and cancelling taxes; and
any questions on amnesty or pardon.
Source: Art 112 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD029
Question: Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
Answer(s):
h . Taxes and public expenditure commitments i . Other public policy issues j . Other (specify)
Comments: The following s are excluded from referenda:
any questions, which may lead to violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions pertaining to election and dismissal of the President of the Republic of Belarus and appointment (election or dismissal) of officials whose appointment (election or dismissal) is within the competence of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Chambers of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions on adopting and amending the budget and introducing, changing and cancelling taxes; and
any questions on amnesty or pardon.
Source: Art 112 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD030
Question: Which issues, if any, maybe the subject of sub-national referendums regulated at the national level?
Answer(s):
e . None
Comments:
Source: Art 125 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD031
Question: Who can initiate a referendum at the national level?
Answer(s):
c . President d . Legislative majority e . Registered electors
Comments: National referenda shall be called on the initiative of the President of the Republic of Belarus, as well as on the initiative of the Council of the Republic or House of Representatives, which is taken at their separate sittings by a majority of the full number of deputies of each house, or on the initiative of no fewer than 450,000 citizens eligible to vote, including no fewer than 30,000 citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and city of Minsk.
Source: Art 73 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD032
Question: Who is responsible for drafting the mandatory referendum question?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Art 72 et seq, 97, 99 138 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD033
Question: Who is responsible for drafting the optional referendum question?
Answer(s):
c . President d . Legislature e . Registered electors
Comments: : The initiator of a referendum is entitled to draft the question.
Source: Art 113 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD034
Question: Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the mandatory referendum question?
Answer(s):
f . Not applicable
Comments:
Source: Art 72 et seq, 97, 99 138 et seq. Constitution of Belarus; Electoral Code Of The Republic Of Belarus; See furthermore von Steinsdorff, Das politische System Weißrußlands In: Ismayr: Die politischen Systeme Osteuropas, 2.ed, 2004, pp. 451 et seq.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD035
Question: Which of the following, if any, are required to be included in the optional referendum question?
Answer(s):
d . The full text of the proposal
Comments:
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD036
Question: Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for mandatory referendums?
Answer(s):
f . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD037
Question: Which institution(s) decides on the final form of the ballot text for optional referendums?
Answer(s):
c . President
Comments:
Source: Art 117 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD040
Question: What are the requirements for mandatory referendums to pass?
Answer(s):
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD041
Question: What are the requirements for optional referendums to pass?
Answer(s):
a . Simple majority (>50%)
Comments: The decision shall be considered as adopted by the referendum, if it was supported by more than half of the total number of voters, who have taken part in the vote in the Republic of Belarus.
The decision on the adoption, alteration and amendment of the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus shall be deemed adopted if it was supported by the majority of the citizens included in the ballot lists.
Source: Art 121 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD042
Question: In which areas, if any, do regulatory provisions differ between a referendum and a national election? Tick all that apply and specify below in the comments section.
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: Both kind of democratic mechanisms are regulated by the same law, therefore the provisions do not differ.
Source: Art 1 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD043
Question: When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
Answer:
d . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD044
Question: When is the outcome of an optional referendum binding?
Answer:
a . Always
Comments: the referendum was valid, and a decision is passed, it is binding.
Source: Art 121 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD045
Question: Which types of issues can be proposed by citizens using the citizens' initiative process at the national level?
Answer(s):
a . Constitutional amendments b . Legislative proposals
Comments:
Source: Art 97, 99, 138 et seq. Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD046
Question: Which types of issues can be proposed by citizens using the agenda initiative process at the national level?
Answer(s):
a . Constitutional amendments b . Legislative proposals
Comments:
Source: Art 97, 99, 138 et seq. Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD047
Question: Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of a citizens' initiative at the national level?
Answer(s):
h . Taxes and public expenditure commitments i . Other public policy issues j . Other (specify)
Comments: : Followings are excluded from a citizens initiative any questions, which may lead to violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions pertaining to election and dismissal of the President of the Republic of Belarus and appointment (election or dismissal) of officials whose appointment (election or dismissal) is within the competence of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Chambers of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus;
any questions on adopting and amending the budget and introducing, changing and cancelling taxes; and
any questions on amnesty or pardon.
Source: Art 112 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD048
Question: Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of an agenda initiative at the national level?
Answer(s):
k . None
Comments:
Source: Art 112 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD049
Question: Who may propose the registration of a citizens' initiative? Please specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
a . A number of individuals
Comments:
Source: Art 73, 97, 99, Constitution, Steindorff, op. cit., p. 452.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD050
Question: Who may propose the registration of an agenda initiative? Please specify in the "Comments" section below.
Answer(s):
a . A number of individuals
Comments:
Source: Art 73, 97, 99, Constitution, Steindorff, op. cit., p. 452.
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD051
Question: What material is necessary to accompany an application for registration?
Answer(s):
c . Full proposed text d . Other (specify)
Comments: The initiative group shall lodge with the Central Commission an application to register the initiative group and the question (draft decision), which it proposes to submit to the referendum. The application shall be appended with the minutes of the meeting held by the initiative group, which took a decision to form the initiative group, to put forth the initiative to hold the referendum, to approve the question (draft decision) proposed for submission to the referendum, to elect the initiative group Chairman and co-ordinators for the Oblasts and the City of Minsk, the list of participants in the meeting signed by the chairman and the secretary of the meeting as well as the list of the members of the initiative group who agreed to take part in the initiative group, which shall be confirmed by their own signatures with the authenticity of the signatures subject to notary certification.
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD052
Question: Who determines the title of a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
e . Other (specify)
Comments: The CCE is responsible for conducting referenda. The wording of the question may be amended only with the consent of the initiative group, and the minutes of the meeting of the group, confirming such consent, shall be submitted. So it follows from the wording of the law that the CCE decides about the question, however this decision presupposes consent of the initiator. This rule is, however, applicable only for initiative group of electors. The whole aim of the law is to protect the initiator of a referendum, so it seems to be applicable for other initiators, as well.
If the initiative is successful and the President of the Republic announces a referendum, he/she is entitled to determine final form of the initiative.
Source: Art 114, 117 Electoral Code, 97, 99, 138 et seq. Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD053
Question: Who determines the title of an agenda initiative?
Answer:
a . Proponents of the initiative
Comments: The CCE is responsible for conducting referenda. The wording of the question may be amended only with the consent of the initiative group, and the minutes of the meeting of the group, confirming such consent, shall be submitted. So it follows from the wording of the law that the CCE decides about the question, however this decision presupposes consent of the initiator. This rule is, however, applicable only for initiative group of electors. The whole aim of the law is to protect the initiator of a referendum, so it seems to be applicable for other initiators, as well.
If the initiative is successful and the President of the Republic announces a referendum, he/she is entitled to determine final form of the initiative.
Source: 114, 117 Electoral Code, 97, 99, 138 et seq. Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD054
Question: Which, if any, of the following disqualify a proposed title of an initiative?
Answer(s):
e . Incomprehensibility
Comments: This particular issue is not regulated; however the comprehensibility is a necessary condition. The initiative have to be worded by the initiative group in a clear and definite manner so that it shall be possible to give an unambiguous answer to such question.
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD055
Question: Which services are provided by the agency/department responsible for the administration of direct democracy mechanisms before an initiative can be published?
Answer(s):
a . Spelling/grammatical checks b . Drafting actual text for legal measure
Comments:
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD056
Question: Under what circumstances is an initiative checked for constitutionality or legality?
Answer(s):
a . An automatic check is part of the initiative process
Comments: The documents pertaining to the holding of the republican referendum, submitted by the initiative group, and the question (draft decision) offered for the referendum shall be submitted by the Central Commission for consideration and conclusion to the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecution Department of the Republic of Belarus, which shall verify the compliance of the question (draft decision) with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and observance of the procedure of formation of the initiative group.
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD057
Question: If a check of the constitutionality or legality of an initiative takes place, who is responsible for undertaking it?
Answer(s):
a . Government b . Independent electoral commission f . Other (specify)
Comments: The documents pertaining to the holding of the republican referendum, submitted by the initiative group, and the question (draft decision) offered for the referendum shall be submitted by the Central Commission for consideration and conclusion to the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecution Department of the Republic of Belarus, which shall verify the compliance of the question (draft decision) with the legislation of the Republic of Belarus and observance of the procedure of formation of the initiative group.
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD058
Question: If a check of the constitutionality or legality of an initiative takes place, when does this happen?
Answer(s):
a . After its registration, before the collection of signatures
Comments:
Source: Art 114 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD059
Question: Which institutions, if any, are given an opportunity to propose an alternative to proposals contained in a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
g . Not applicable
Comments: The possibility of an alternative proposal is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD060
Question: At which stage in the initiative process, if at all, can alternative proposals be made?
Answer(s):
d . Not at all
Comments: The possibility of an alternative proposal is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD061
Question: What happens when there is a valid alternative proposal?
Answer:
e . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD062
Question: When an initiative proposal and an alternative proposal are put to the vote on the same day, what choices does the voter have?
Answer(s):
f . Not applicable
Comments:
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD063
Question: Who decides the final ballot text?
Answer(s):
e . Other (specify)
Comments: The President of the Republic.
Source: Art 117 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD064
Question: Once an initiative is qualified for the ballot, the vote on it takes place:
Answer:
a . Within a certain time limit (specify)
Comments: The date of the referendum shall be set not later than three months from the date of the decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus on appointment of the referendum
Source: Art 117 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD065
Question: Which of the following individuals/positions may be subject to the recall mechanism?
Answer(s):
a . Members of the national legislature e . Members of provincial / local legislature bodies
Comments: A Deputy of the Chamber of Representatives or a Deputy of a Local Council of Deputies or a Member of the Council of the Republic can be recalled.
Source: Art 72 Constitution, Art 1, 129 et seq. Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD066
Question: What are the grounds upon which a recall may be launched?
Answer(s):
b . Indictment c . Conviction d . Moral turpitude f . Other (specify)
Comments: A deputy of the Chamber of Representatives or a deputy of a local Council of Deputies of the Republic of Belarus, who has not justified the trust of the voters, that has manifested itself in failure to execute the Deputy's duties as stipulated by law, in breaching the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus and of the laws of the Republic of Belarus and of acts of the President of the Republic of Belarus, in committing actions discrediting the deputy, may be recalled by the electors.
Any member of the Council of the Republic, who has failed in the trust extended to him by neglecting the duties of the member of the Council of the Republic, violating the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus laws of the Republic of Belarus or acts of the President of the Republic of Belarus, or committing actions discrediting the member of the Council of the Republic may be recalled. The Council of Republic is a indirectly elected on the basis of territorial representation, therefore the recall of their members cannot be dealed as a direct democracy instrument
Source: Art 129, 143 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD068
Question: If a recall qualifies for the ballot, when is it put to the vote?
Answer:
a . Within a certain time limit (specify)
Comments: The Central Commission, the respective territorial electoral commission shall be entitled, within 15 days after the date of receipt of necessary documents (records and signature lists), to make a selective or complete check of observance of the requirements of Section VIII of the Electoral Code when initiating the question of recalling a deputy.
Upon establishing that the collection of the necessary number of signatures of electors and all other measures have been undertaken in accordance with the requirements of Section VIII of the Electoral Code, the Central Commission shall take a decision to appoint voting for recalling a deputy of the Chamber of Representatives, and the respective territorial electoral commission to appoint voting to recall a deputy of the local Council of Deputies.
The voting shall be appointed not earlier than one month and not later than two months after the date when the decision to appoint the voting was taken.
Source: Art 138 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD069
Question: When does the election to replace an individual who has been recalled take place?
Answer:
b . Separately and subsequently
Comments:
Source: Art 141 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD071
Question: Can an individual who is the subject of a recall stand on the ballot for his/her own replacement?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: it is not excluded by law
Source: electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD076
Question: What is the deadline, if any, for collecting the required number of signatures after a proposal for an abrogative referendum (optional) has been published?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: 2 months
Source: Art 115, 135 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD077
Question: What is the deadline, if any, for collecting the required number of signatures after a proposal for a rejective referendum (optional) has been published?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: 2 months
Source: Art 115, 135 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD078
Question: What is the deadline, if any, for collecting the required number of signatures after a proposal for a citizens' initiative has been published?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: 2 months
Source: Art 115, 135 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD079
Question: What is the deadline, if any, for collecting the required number of signatures after a proposal for an agenda initiative has been published?
Answer:
b . Other (specify)
Comments: No time is fixed
Source: Art 115, 135 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD080
Question: What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign the proposal for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
b . Signatories must be registered electors in a specific electoral district
Comments: National referenda is called on the initiative of no fewer than 450,000 citizens eligible to vote, including no fewer than 30,000 citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and city of Minsk.
Local referenda are called by the relevant local representative bodies on their initiative or on the recommendation of no less than ten percent of the citizens who are eligible to vote and resident in the area concerned.
The recall of deputies shall be exercised to the order and instances as determined by the law.
The voting for the recall of a deputy is exercised to the order determined for the election of the deputy, and on the initiative of no less than 20 percent of the citizens eligible to vote and resident in the corresponding area.
The House of Representatives considers draft laws submitted by no less than 150 thousand citizens of the Republic of Belarus, who are eligible to vote, to make amendments and alterations in the Constitution and give its interpretation
The right of legislative initiative belongs to citizens who are eligible to vote, in a number of no less than 50,000.
The issue of amending and supplementing the Constitution is considered by the chambers of the Parliament on the initiative of no fewer than 150,000 citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are eligible to vote.
Source: Art 72 73 et seq., 97, 99, 138 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD081
Question: What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign the proposal for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
b . Signatories must be registered electors in a specific electoral district
Comments: National referenda is called on the initiative of no fewer than 450,000 citizens eligible to vote, including no fewer than 30,000 citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and city of Minsk.
Local referenda are called by the relevant local representative bodies on their initiative or on the recommendation of no less than ten percent of the citizens who are eligible to vote and resident in the area concerned.
The recall of deputies shall be exercised to the order and instances as determined by the law.
The voting for the recall of a deputy is exercised to the order determined for the election of the deputy, and on the initiative of no less than 20 percent of the citizens eligible to vote and resident in the corresponding area.
The House of Representatives considers draft laws submitted by no less than 150 thousand citizens of the Republic of Belarus, who are eligible to vote, to make amendments and alterations in the Constitution and give its interpretation
The right of legislative initiative belongs to citizens who are eligible to vote, in a number of no less than 50,000.
The issue of amending and supplementing the Constitution is considered by the chambers of the Parliament on the initiative of no fewer than 150,000 citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are eligible to vote.
Source: Art 72 73 et seq., 97, 99, 138 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD082
Question: What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign the proposal for a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
b . Signatories must be registered electors in a specific electoral district
Comments: National referenda is called on the initiative of no fewer than 450,000 citizens eligible to vote, including no fewer than 30,000 citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and city of Minsk.
Local referenda are called by the relevant local representative bodies on their initiative or on the recommendation of no less than ten percent of the citizens who are eligible to vote and resident in the area concerned.
The recall of deputies shall be exercised to the order and instances as determined by the law.
The voting for the recall of a deputy is exercised to the order determined for the election of the deputy, and on the initiative of no less than 20 percent of the citizens eligible to vote and resident in the corresponding area.
The House of Representatives considers draft laws submitted by no less than 150 thousand citizens of the Republic of Belarus, who are eligible to vote, to make amendments and alterations in the Constitution and give its interpretation
The right of legislative initiative belongs to citizens who are eligible to vote, in a number of no less than 50,000.
The issue of amending and supplementing the Constitution is considered by the chambers of the Parliament on the initiative of no fewer than 150,000 citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are eligible to vote.
Source: Art 72 73 et seq., 97, 99, 138 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD083
Question: What restrictions, if any, apply in relation to the individuals who can sign the proposal for an agenda initiative?
Answer(s):
a . Signatories must be registered
Comments: National referenda is called on the initiative of no fewer than 450,000 citizens eligible to vote, including no fewer than 30,000 citizens from each of the regions (oblasts) and city of Minsk.
Local referenda are called by the relevant local representative bodies on their initiative or on the recommendation of no less than ten percent of the citizens who are eligible to vote and resident in the area concerned.
The recall of deputies shall be exercised to the order and instances as determined by the law.
The voting for the recall of a deputy is exercised to the order determined for the election of the deputy, and on the initiative of no less than 20 percent of the citizens eligible to vote and resident in the corresponding area.
The House of Representatives considers draft laws submitted by no less than 150 thousand citizens of the Republic of Belarus, who are eligible to vote, to make amendments and alterations in the Constitution and give its interpretation
The right of legislative initiative belongs to citizens who are eligible to vote, in a number of no less than 50,000.
The issue of amending and supplementing the Constitution is considered by the chambers of the Parliament on the initiative of no fewer than 150,000 citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are eligible to vote.
Source: Art 72 73 et seq., 97, 99, 138 Constitution
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD085
Question: What is the deadline, if any, for collecting the required number of signatures after a proposal for recall has been published?
Answer:
a . Fixed time period (specify)
Comments: 45 days
Source: Art 115, 135 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD087
Question: Where can proposals for an abrogative referendum (optional) be signed?
Answer(s):
a . Anywhere
Comments: This very peculiar question is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD088
Question: Where can proposals for a rejective referendum (optional) be signed?
Answer(s):
a . Anywhere
Comments: : This very peculiar question is not regulated by the law
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD089
Question: Where can proposals for a citizens' initiative be signed?
Answer(s):
a . Anywhere
Comments: This very peculiar question is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD090
Question: Where can proposals for an agenda initiative be signed?
Answer(s):
a . Anywhere
Comments: This very peculiar question is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD091
Question: Where can proposals for a recall be signed?
Answer(s):
a . Anywhere
Comments: This very peculiar question is not regulated by the law.
Source: Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD092
Question: What information must signatories provide when signing the proposal for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
a . Signatories must provide identity/voting card number c . Other (specify)
Comments: The signature lists shall contain the wording of the registered question, offered for the referendum, and/or the summary of the proposed decision (draft law), the family name, the name and the patronymic name of the person collecting the signatures and shall specify the number of the registration certificate issued to the initiative group, and the authority which issued the registration certificate. The initiative group member collecting the signatures shall provide the complete text of the decision (draft law) offered for the referendum, at the request of any citizen for his familiarisation.
Source: Art 115, Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD093
Question: What information must signatories provide when signing the proposal for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
a . Signatories must provide identity/voting card number c . Other (specify)
Comments: The signature lists shall contain the wording of the registered question, offered for the referendum, and/or the summary of the proposed decision (draft law), the family name, the name and the patronymic name of the person collecting the signatures and shall specify the number of the registration certificate issued to the initiative group, and the authority which issued the registration certificate. The initiative group member collecting the signatures shall provide the complete text of the decision (draft law) offered for the referendum, at the request of any citizen for his familiarisation.
Source: Art 115 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD094
Question: What information must signatories provide when signing the proposal for a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
a . Signatories must provide identity/voting card number c . Other (specify)
Comments: The signature lists shall contain the wording of the registered question, offered for the referendum, and/or the summary of the proposed decision (draft law), the family name, the name and the patronymic name of the person collecting the signatures and shall specify the number of the registration certificate issued to the initiative group, and the authority which issued the registration certificate. The initiative group member collecting the signatures shall provide the complete text of the decision (draft law) offered for the referendum, at the request of any citizen for his familiarisation.
Source: Art 115 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD095
Question: What information must signatories provide when signing the proposal for an agenda initiative?
Answer(s):
d . None
Comments: Not governed by law.
Source:
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD096
Question: What information must signatories provide when signing the proposal for a recall?
Answer(s):
a . Signatories must provide identity/voting card number c . Other (specify)
Comments: The electors supporting the proposal to initiate the question of recalling a deputy shall indicate in the list of signatures his surname, name and patronymic name, the date of birth, the series and number of passport, or the requisites of the certificate of the person substituting it and the date of signing, and shall sign. Signatures shall be enumerated.
Source: Art 136 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD097
Question: What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to signature collection for an abrogative referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
b . Ban on payment per signature e . Other (specify)
Comments: It is forbidden to exert coercion toward the citizens of the Republic of Belarus with the purpose of obtaining their signatures for subscription sheets, and to use illegal practices for collecting signatures.
Source: Art 115 Electoral code
Verified: 2005/03/25
DD098
Question: What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to signature collection for a rejective referendum (optional)?
Answer(s):
b . Ban on payment per signature e . Other (specify)
Comments: It is forbidden to exert coercion toward the citizens of the Republic of Belarus with the purpose of obtaining their signatures for subscription sheets, and to use illegal practices for collecting signatures
Source: Art 115 electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD099
Question: What restrictions, if any, are there in relation to signature collection for a citizens' initiative?
Answer(s):
b . Ban on payment per signature e . Other (specify)
Comments: It is forbidden to exert coercion toward the citizens of the Republic of Belarus with the purpose of obtaining their signatures for subscription sheets, and to use illegal practices for collecting signatures.
Source: Art 115 Electoral Code
Verified: 2005/03/29
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
a . Always binding
Comments: The decisions adopted by the republican referendum shall be signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus.
The decision adopted by the referendum is signed by the President of the Republic of Belarus and is subject to the immediate and obligatory official publication after its signing.
The decision adopted by the referendum enters into force in 10 days after its official publication, unless other term is established therein.
The date of adoption of the decision by the referendum is deemed to be the date of the referendum.
Legal force of the decision adopted by a referendum is determined by the edict of the President of the Republic of Belarus on calling the referendum.
The decisions adopted by the referendum may be cancelled or changed only by means of a referendum, unless otherwise determined by the referendum.
If implementing the decision, adopted by the referendum, requires the issuance of a legal act, such act shall be adopted within five months from the date of entry into force of the decision adopted by the referendum.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 74: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 123 & 124: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: The issues, which may be submitted to a republican referendum, include the most important issues of the state and public life of the Republic of Belarus.
The issues, which may be submitted to a local referendum, include the most important issues for the population of respective administrative territorial units, which fall within the competence of the respective local Councils of Deputies, and executive and administrative bodies.
The following issues may not be submitted to the republican referendum:
any issues which may lead to violation of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus;
any issues concerning the elections and dismissal of the President of the Republic of Belarus and appointment (election or dismissal) of officials whose appointment (election or dismissal) is within the competence of the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Chambers of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus;
any issues on adopting and amending the budget and introducing, changing and cancelling taxes (duties); and
any issues on amnesty or pardon.
The issues, which may not be submitted to the local referendum, include those specified in the part three of this Article, the issues of importance for the Republic of Belarus as a whole, and the issues, relating to approval and dismissal of officials, which are within the competence of a respective local executive and administrative body or the head of such body.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 112: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Local referenda shall be called by the corresponding local representative bodies on their initiative or on the proposal of no less than ten percent of the citizens eligible to vote and residing in the corresponding territory.
The issues, which may be submitted to a local referendum, include the most important issues for the population of respective administrative territorial units, which fall within the competence of the respective local Councils of Deputies, and executive and administrative bodies.
Source: Constitution: “Constitution of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 75: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-constitution-2021-english/ ;
Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 112: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
DD132
Year of introducing Direct Democracy
Question: What year were the first Direct Democracy mechanisms introduced to the legal framework?
Answer:
f . 1981-2000
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008), (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Kaufmann Chapter IV draft
Verified: 2009/08/20
DD133
Question: What year was the first referendum/initiative held?
Answer:
f . 1981-2000
Comments:
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook" (2008), (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Kaufmann Chapter IV draft
Verified: 2009/08/20
Voting Operations
VO002
Question: Is there a code of conduct for election officials?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There is no separate code, but the main regulations are incorporated in the Code on Elections.
Source: Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified: 2002/08/21
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections e . At mobile polling stations
Comments: e) Persons who are not able to come to the polling stations on their own, can vote via mobile voting stations.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 51 & 54: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) e . Students f . Diplomatic staff
Comments:
Source: ODIHR Election Observation Mission. Final Report. Early Parliamentary Elections 17 Nov 2019. P. 12: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-early-parliamentary-elections-final-report/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates
Comments:
Source: ODIHR Election Observation Mission. Final Report. Early Parliamentary Elections 17 Nov 2019. P. 12: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-early-parliamentary-elections-final-report/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO006
Question: Can people vote in advance of the designated national election day(s)?
Answer:
b . Yes
Comments: Persons who will not be able to take part in the election can vote in advance, but not earlier than five days prior to the day of the election. They can vote at polling stations where they are registered.
Source: Code on Elections, article 53.
Verified: 2002/08/21
VO007
Question: If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), how may they do so?
Answer(s):
e . Other
Comments: Persons who will not be able to take part in the election can vote in advance, but not earlier than five days prior to the day of the election. They can vote at polling stations where they are registered.
Source: Code on Elections, article 53.
Verified: 2002/08/21
VO008
Question: If electors can vote in advance of the designated national election day(s), specify who:
Answer(s):
a . Everyone
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 53.
Verified: 2002/07/17
VO009
Question: Is there a maximum allowable voter capacity of a polling station for the national elections?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Code on Elections, article 17.
Verified: 2002/07/17
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: Every voter shall vote personally, voting by other persons are not allowed.
The ballot is issued to the voter, participant of the referendum by a member of the precinct commission on the basis of the list of citizens having the right to participate in elections after submission of the passport of citizen of the Republic of Belarus or other document determined by the Central Commission. When receiving the ballot the voter shall put a signature in the relevant line of the indicated list.
The ballot is filled in a booth or a room for secret voting. When the ballot is being filled in, the presence of anybody other than the voter is prohibited.
The voter or the participant in the referendum who has no opportunity to fill the ballot by himself is entitled to invite to the cabin or room for secret voting another person at his discretion, except for members of the precinct and superior commissions, candidates for the President of the Republic of Belarus or for deputies or their authorized persons as well as persons mentioned in part four of Article 13 of this Code.
When voting during the elections, the voter puts any sign in an empty square placed on the right from the surname of the candidate he votes for. If the voter votes against all candidates, he puts any sign in an empty square placed on the right from the line ― “Against all candidates”. When voting during the referendum, if the participant in the referendum votes for the issue put forward for the referendum (draft decision), he puts any sign in the square under the word “for” and when votes against the issue put forward for the referendum (draft decision) he puts any sign under the word ”against”. The voter who votes on the recall of a deputy puts any sign in the square under the words ”for recall” whereas the one voting against the recall of a deputy puts any sign in the square under the words “against recall”.
If the ballot contains the surname of only one candidate, when voting for the candidate the voter puts any sign in the square under the word “for”, and if voting against the candidate he puts any sign in the square under the word “against”.
The voter or participant in the referendum casts the filled ballot into the ballot box.
When two or more referendums are held at the same time, the voter shall receive and fill a ballot for each of them and cast them to the ballot box.
In case the voter or the participant in the referendum thinks he has made a mistake when he filled the ballot he is entitled to address the member of the precinct commission who issued the ballot with a request to issue to him a new ballot instead of the spoiled one. The member of the precinct commission having received the spoiled ballot, which shall have the personal signature of the voter or the participant in the referendum, issues to the elector or the participant in the referendum a new ballot and makes a note thereabout in the list of citizens who have the right to take part in elections, referendum or voting on the recall of a deputy against the surname of the voter or the participant in the referendum who has made a mistake. The spoiled ballot is cancelled and the act thereabout shall be composed and signed by the chairperson or the deputy chairperson or the secretary and two members of the precinct commission.
Source: Electoral Code: "Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 52: https://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/BY/belarus-electoral-code-2023-english/
Verified: 2023/09/13
VO012
How many staff are assigned to each polling station?
The smallest polling station: 5
The largest polling station: 19
Average per polling station:
Source
Ms. Lidia Ermoshina - Chairperson of the Central Commission of the Republic of the Belarus on Elections and Holding of Republican Referendums. [email protected]
Verified
2016/06/13
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