The regional commission for the election of deputies to the lower house of parliament and 14 district election commissions have started their work in the Vitebsk region.
The nomination of candidates for deputies starts on September 8 and will end on October 7. During this period, it is planned to hold meetings of labor collectives on this issue, congresses of political parties, and initiative groups of citizens will also be working to collect signatures in support of the nomination of contenders for a seat in parliament.
14 constituencies have been formed in the Vitebsk region, with the largest in terms of the number of voters being the Novopolotsk constituency No. 24, where 69,074 citizens will vote, and the smallest being the Dokshitsy constituency No. 22 (56,772 voters).
The personal composition of the district commissions and the regional election commission was determined by open voting for each candidate and approved at a joint meeting of the presidium of the regional Council of Deputies and the regional executive committee. Ahead of the discussion, the head of the region, Nikolai Sherstnev, recalled that this year the country celebrated the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, and intensive preparations are underway for the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War.
— Taking into account these important events, we must conduct the election campaign at a high level, democratically and openly, electing worthy people to the legislative body, and most importantly, those who enjoy respect and trust, — noted the chairman of the regional executive committee.
Speaking about the current stage of the election campaign, Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized that all subjects of the electoral process with the right to nominate their representatives to the regional and district commissions have exercised this right. For example, out of 228 candidates for participation in the work of district election commissions, 74.6% are members of public associations (including parties nominated 47 of their members, or 20.6%), the proportion of representatives of citizens nominated by collecting signatures exceeded 24%. Election commissions organize elections and also monitor compliance with the law, therefore, special requirements are imposed on the selection of their members. It is important that election commissions are capable and fulfill their duties in strict accordance with the law and within the deadlines set by the calendar plan of organizational measures for the preparation and conduct of elections.
For the second time in the parliamentary elections, the regional territorial election commission will operate, to which some powers of district election commissions and the Central Election Commission, including the consideration of electoral disputes, have been transferred. In the Vitebsk region, it is formed with the maximum composition of 13 people, with more than 60% of its members delegated by public associations, including parties. At the first meeting of the regional election commission, scheduled for September 3, its leaders will be elected and other organizational issues will be resolved.
182 citizens have been elected to the 14 district commissions, including 132 representatives of parties and other public associations, and 47 people nominated by citizens. 112 women, 24 civil servants, and 6 young people (under 30 years old) will work in the commissions. As reported by the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, Vladimir Terentyev, during the formation of proposals for the personal composition of commissions, including district ones, consultations were held with a number of public organizations, work collectives, and local authorities in cities and districts. The personal qualities of most candidates were studied, taking into account their participation in previous election campaigns and other political events. Commission members must be the most capable, able to work in a team, and have the opportunity to ensure the formation operates strictly in accordance with the law, stated Vladimir Terentyev.