Belarus
- System of government
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 Unitary dominant party presidential republic
System of government-References:
- Total population
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 9,498,700
Total population-References:
- Total area (in square kilo meters)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 207,595 km2
Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:
- Number of registered voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 6,978,490
Number of registered voters-References:
- Number of registered political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of polling stations
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Average number of voters per polling station
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting age
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02 18
Voting age-References:
- Elected Offices
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Election system
- Last Updated : 2016-09-29 Single Non-Transferable Vote
Election system-References:
- Terms of office
- Last Updated : 2016-09-29 The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 5-year term.
In the Council of the Republic (Soviet Respubliki), 56 members are elected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms and 8 members are appointed by the president to serve 4-year terms*. In the Chamber of Representatives (Palata Predstaviteley) 110 members are elected by absolute majority vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms
Terms of office-References:
- Election
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 Belarusian parliamentary election, 2016
Election-References:
- Date
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 11 September 2016
Date-References:
- Political parties in the elections
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Number of elected candidates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voter turnout
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17
74%
Voter turnout-References:
- Number of ballots cast
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 5,211,871
Number of ballots cast-References:
- Legal framework for elections
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17
Part of Constitution - Separate legislation - Other
Legal framework for elections-References:
- Legal provisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, art. 37, 73-78
Legal provisions-References:
- Referenda
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 The Constitution of the Republic of Belarus, art. 74. The Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus, as amended of June 6, 2015, art. 123-124
Referenda-References:
- People’s Initiatives
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 No
People’s Initiatives-References:
- Recall Votes
- Last Updated : 2016-12-14 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.
Recall Votes-References:
- Official name
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02 The Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus on Elections and Holding Republican Referenda
Official name -References:
- Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 Independent
Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:
- EMB budget source
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 The legislature
EMB budget source-References:
- EMB expenditure audit
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20 The legislature
EMB expenditure audit-References:
- Number of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 11 - 20 members
Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Term of EMB members (commissioners)
- Last Updated : 2016-09-02 5 years
Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:
- Who appoints members (commissioners)?
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 Head of State - Legislature
Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:
- Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson
- Last Updated : 2016-09-08 Presidential/ Prime Minister appointment
Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:
- Administrative divisions
- Last Updated : 2016-11-03
At the top level of administration, Belarus is divided into six regions and the city of Minsk, which has a special status being the capital of Belarus. Minsk is also the capital of Minsk Region. At the second level, the regions are divided into raions.
Administrative divisions -References:
- Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-04 constituencies are delimited for election purposes
Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:
- Criteria for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 "Equality" of population - Compactness of constituencies
Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:
- Body responsible for drawing boundaries
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 Electoral Management Body (EMB)
Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:
- Requirements on the right to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the right to vote revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral Eligibility
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reasons for having the eligibility revoked
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Requirements for party registration
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10
Nominiation candidates for Deputies of the Chamber of Representatives from political parties is executed by supreme Republican bodies of political parties provided that in the territory of the respective constituency there is a organisational structure of the political party which is nominating a candidate for Deputy created in due order beforre appointment of the elections.
A political party had the right to nominate in each constituency for elections for the Chamber of representatives, respective local Council of Deputies only one candidate for Deputy from among the members of this political party.
The list of registered politcal parties is submitted by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to the Central Commission not later than five days after appointment of elections.
Requirements for party registration-References:
- Candidate nomination
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 independent candidates can compete in both presidential and legislative elections
Candidate nomination-References:
- Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10
- Requirement
Age
Citizenship
Residence
Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:
- Candidate registration deposit
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Amount of fee
- Return of fee
- Uncontested Election
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
Uncontested Election -References:
- Preparation of the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 Voter lists are prepared by local administrative bodies for each precinct, and verified by Precinct Election Commissions.
Preparation of the voters list-References:
- Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 Yes
Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:
- Who is responsible for the voters list
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20 Voter lists are prepared by local administrative bodies for each precinct, and verified by Precinct Election Commissions.
Who is responsible for the voters list -References:
- Voters list preparation procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Inspection and objection procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Definition
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Prohibited forms of campaigning
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Who is not permitted to campaign
- Campaign Finance
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Campaign expense limit
- Income and expenditure of campaign expense
- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure
- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions
- Reimbursement of campaign expense
- Presiding officers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① How many of officers in a polling station
② Roles of each officer
③ How we nominate the officers
- Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Polling station location criteria
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting hours
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Is compulsory or voluntary?
② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?
- Ballot Paper
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots
② What has to be included in the ballot paper?
③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper
④ Valid and invalid ballot paper
- Voting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start ofvoting
- Process of voting
- End of voting
- Marking method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
① Who are subjected to do
② Voting procedures
- Counting Location
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 The polling stations
Counting Location-References:
- Counting period
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Vote counting method
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting Procedures
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Start of counting
- Process of counting
- End of counting
- When are ballots recounted?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 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.
When are ballots recounted?-References:
- Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20 Citizens residing outside the country
Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
Students
Diplomatic staff
Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:
- Overseas voters list preparation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Where to vote
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Voting procedure for early voting
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Methods used to transport ballot papers
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Counting procedure
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Apportioning of National Assembly seats
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Results Announcement
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Is the announcement of preliminary result required?
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Deadline for announcement of final results
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Reason for holding a by- or re-election
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- By-election dates
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Electoral process
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 Equal regardless of size and previous performance
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:
- Television debates
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19
presidential elections - legislative elections
Television debates-References:
- Blackout period for release of election survey results
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 4-5 days
Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution body
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 Judiciary - EMB
Electoral dispute resolution body-References:
- Electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-11-21
The Central Commission may recognize the elections as invalid if violations of the requirements of the present Code tookplace in the course of elections or during the count of votes or the determination of the results of the elections that affected the results of theelections or do not allow the true determination of the results of the expression of will of the voters, and deny registration of the deputy of the House of Representatives. The decision of the Central Commission on recognizing elections as invalid may be appealed against by the candidate for deputy to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus within three days after its taking.
Article 82. The circuit electoral commission may recognize elections as invalid if violations of the requirements of thepresent Code were committed in the course of elections or during the count of votes or determining of the results of elections that influenced the results ofthe elections. A complaint about such violation is submitted by thecandidate for deputy to the circuit electoral commission not later than on the third day following the dayof elections. The decision of the circuit electoral commission maybe appealed against in the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus withinthree days after the day of its taking.
Article 84. The Central Commission, on thebasis of received protocols of the circuit electoral commissions, determines the results of elections of deputies for the electoral circuits and registers the elected deputies of the House of Representatives.
Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism
- Last Updated : 2016-12-14 N/A
Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:
- Direct public funding
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20
No. Although there used to be public funding for candidates, it was withdrawn with the 2013 amendment of the Electoral Code
Direct public funding-References:
- Private funding of political parties
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20 Deregistration of party - Loss of nomination of candidate - Suspension of political party
Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:
- Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies
- Last Updated : 2016-10-20
ministry - other
Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:
- Which electoral processes are using ICTs?
- Last Updated : 2016-11-10 publishes the statistical overview of voter lists online at the national level
Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:
- When it was introduced
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
When it was introduced-References:
- Gender equality
- Last Updated : 2016-12-14 Female Population: 5,065,315 (2012)
· Is Belarus a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)
· Has Belarus ratified CEDAW: Yes (4 February 1981)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: Yes
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 29 (following the 2012 elections)
· Human Development Index Position: 50 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Very Low (2014)
Gender equality-References:
- Aids for disabled or handicapped voters
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17
Is Belarus a signatory to CRPD: Yes (28 September 2015)
Has Belarus ratified CRPD: No
Population with a disability: 1,431,432 (est.)
Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:
- Voter education
- Last Updated : 2016-08-19 Election time only
Voter education-References:
- National civic education
- Last Updated : 2016-12-16 N/A
National civic education-References:
- EMB Staff education
- Last Updated : 2016-11-29 N/A
EMB Staff education-References:
- Domestic observation
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International observation
- Last Updated : 2016-11-17 Following an invitation by the authorities of the Republic of Belarus to observe the 11 September parliamentary elections, and in accordance with its mandate, OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections. (Parliamentary Elections, 11 September 2016 )
International observation-References:
- Partnerships/MoUs
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- International Activities
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03
- Major challenges to elections
- Last Updated : 2016-11-28
- Measures taken to deal with those Challenges
- Last Updated : 2016-05-03