Number of contenders: 2.5 persons per for a deputy seat

276 persons have been registered as candidates for deputies of the “house of representatives” of the “national assembly” (out of 365 nominated). There will be 2.5 persons per one deputy seat.

It has been stated at a press conference on August 29 by Lidziya Yarmoshyna, chairperson of the central election commission.

As we have informed, in 2000, when the opposition boycotted the elections, about 5.3 persons were contenders for a deputy position, while 3.26 in 2004. This year this anti-record will be beaten, “Nasha Niva” informs.

Summing up the results of the work of precinct commissions on August 27-28, 84 contenders were denied registration, which is 23% of their general number. The main reason of the denial is mistakes in collected signatures (for instance, from dwellers of different constituencies). Another reason is mistakes in declarations. However, as Yarmoshyna confessed, in this question actions of precinct commissions were “too harsh”. She gave an example of one of the candidates, who was charged with not declaring a motorbike, which had burnt recently (most likely, Communist Alyaksandr Apanasyuk from Stolin is meant).

Five persons have withdrawn from the campaign of their own will, including current deputies of the “house of representatives” – Syarhei Kastyan, Anatol Krasutski, Mikalay Chursin.

Registration of a regular soldier Vital Karatysh from Kazhan-Haradok as a candidate was called “a bloom of democracy” by Yarmoshyna. The guy was given a one-month holiday for the period of the elections campaign.

Complaints against denials to register are to be considered since Wednesday, L. Yarmoshyna says. Nine complaints have been submitted so far.

The chairperson of the CEC expressed regret that count Prushynski hadn’t been registered as a candidate. “It’s a pity, it could be interesting campaign in this district”.

Yarmoshyna has also said that she does not know why Vintsuk Vyachorka and Viktar Ivashkevich have been denied registration. “I wasn’t consulted when this decision was adopted,” the CEC chairperson said.

Mrs Yarmoshyna noted that this year the number of party representatives has declined almost three times. There were 316 of them in 2004, while there are 118 in 2008.

38 former deputies are will take part in re race. Thus, the make-up of the “house of representatives” will be renewed by about 65%.

Lidziya Yarmoshyna has noted that there will be 8 districts with non-alternative elections: Navapolatsk, Rahachou, Pinsk rural, Vaukavysk, Navahradak, Maladechna rural, Ivatsevichy.

The littlest number of contenders there will be in Hrodna region, less then 2 persons per seat (13 districts – 20 candidates). The greatest number of contenders is in Mahilyou region and Minsk. There are more than 4 candidates in some of districts there.

To the question whether the CEC is ready to accept a present from Western countries, transparent ballot boxes, Yarmoshyna answered: “To compare that the quality of elections could depend on transparency of ballot boxes is the same as to state that a woman which has less clothes on has an opener soul and cleaner thoughts, than the one which wears a closed sweater. The main thing is the contents of the ballot box. It is impossible to say from outside, what is inside, papers or electoral ballots”.