Why does Belarus have shortest campaigning period among neighbouring countr

The Central Election Commission should provide the registration certificates to the presidential contenders by November 23. In this case only 24 days will be left for campaigning. Moreover, the pre-term voting starts on December 14.

The Federal Minister for Special Affairs of Germany Ronald Pofalla sounded this problem during his visit to Belarus on November 4.

Ronald Pofalla: "The fact that the names of presidential contenders are unknown several weeks before the election is a serious drawback of the election campaign".

The Euroradio has asked the CEC Secretary Mikalaj Lazavik if the time period given to presidential contenders is sufficient to make themselves known and present their programs to voters.

Mikalaj Lazavik: "This norm is set by the electoral legislation. Maybe, for someone it's too little time, for someone - too much. We cannot prolong or shorten this term... There have never been any problems connected with this norm".

In case the CEC keeps its promise and registers the candidates several days earlier - on November 18-19, the candidates will have a little more time. Then they will have the same quantity of time for campaigning as the presidential contenders in Russia during the previous elections - 28 days. 

In Lithuania the minimal term set by the legislation is approximately the same - 29 days. However, that's a minimal term.

"Contenders should submit 20 thousand collected signatures at least 45 days before the election date. Then 30 days before the election date at the maximum the names of the contenders should be announced in the press and the election commission should provide them the certificates", – said the Chair of the election organization department of the Higher Election Commission of Lithuania Nijole Zemaitiene to the European Radio for Belarus.

Presidential contenders in Ukraine have an incomparably longer term for campaigning - from 2 months to 84 days. The election campaign is announced 90 days before the election date, and registration starts the next day, informed the head of the Ukrainian Central Election Commission's press-center Zoya Sharykava.

Let us remind you that presidential contenders do not need to collect signatures in Ukraine - they should pay a bail of 300 thousand dollars to the special account of the Election Commission. The CEC has 5 days for consideration of the documents, but usually it takes 2-3 days. 

Zoya Sharykava: "If a contender submits the documents on the next day after the election campaign announcement, and the CEC considers them quickly, he has 84 days for campaigning at the maximum. The last term for submitting documents for registration is 71 days before the election date. Then a candidate has 63 days for campaigning in the worst case".

In Poland the minimal term for receiving the official certificates by contenders is 42 days before the election date. However, pre-electoral campaigning can be started earlier, informed the expert of the Central Election Commission of Poland Lech Gaizler.

Lech Gaizler: "The last term for submitting the documents and 100 thousand signatures to the Central Election Commission is 45 days before the election date. The Election Commission checks the validity of signatures, as well as other documents, within no more than 2-3 days, and then takes the decision on granting the certificate".

See also:
Is one month enough to choose President? (street poll)