Belarus' Presidential Election Process Explained

Belarus elects a head of state, the president, and a legislature. The president is directly elected by the people of Belarus for a five-year term. The president is the head of state and government and is tasked with executing foreign and domestic policy, defending the rights and general welfare of citizens and residents, and upholding the constitution.

The presidential candidate must be a natural-born citizen of Belarus, at least 35 or 40 years old, and must have resided in the country for at least ten or twenty years before the elections. They must also be eligible to vote and must collect at least 100,000 signatures from eligible voters.

The election is valid only if more than 50% of registered voters cast a ballot. If a candidate earns more than 50% of the votes in the first round, they are declared the winner. If not, a run-off election is held between the top two candidates, and the one who wins the most votes in the second round is elected.

Presidential candidates must be natural-born citizens, at least 40 years old, and have resided in Belarus for 20 years

Belarus is set to hold its next presidential election on 26 January 2025. The president is elected directly by the people and serves a five-year term.

To be eligible to run for president, a candidate must be a natural-born citizen of Belarus, be at least 35 years old, and have resided in the country for at least 10 years. In addition, they must be able to legally cast a ballot. These provisions are set out in Article 80 of the Constitution of Belarus.

The requirements for presidential candidates in Belarus are strict and detailed. A candidate must be a natural-born citizen of the country, reflecting a desire for strong national identity and loyalty among those seeking the country's highest office. The age requirement of at least 35 years ensures that candidates have a degree of maturity, experience, and wisdom. The residency requirement of 10 years further emphasises the importance of a deep connection to and understanding of Belarus.

The upcoming election will be the eighth since the country's independence in 1991. The previous election, held in 2020, was disputed, with mass protests erupting after incumbent Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory. Opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya also asserted victory and called for international recognition. The outcome of the 2025 election will be highly anticipated, both within Belarus and internationally.

Candidates must be nominated by an initiative group of at least 100 citizens and collect 100,000 signatures

The process of electing the president in Belarus is a complex one, with specific requirements that candidates must meet. One of the key steps in this process is the nomination of candidates, which we will now explore in detail.

To be eligible for nomination as a presidential candidate in Belarus, an individual must be supported by an initiative group of citizens. This group must consist of at least 100 people and act as the first step towards registering the candidate for the election. The initiative group must be formed and registered with the Central Election Commission (CEC) no later than 85 days before the election. This step is crucial, as it provides a foundation for the candidate's campaign and ensures they can proceed to the next stage of the process.

Once a candidate has been successfully nominated by the initiative group, they must then focus on gathering a substantial number of signatures from eligible voters across the country. The requirement, as outlined by electoral laws, is to collect at least 100,000 valid signatures. This stage of the process is essential for candidates to demonstrate their support base and gain official certification to run for the presidency. The signature collection process is a direct way for candidates to engage with voters and build momentum for their campaigns.

The nomination process, including the collection of signatures, is a critical phase in the Belarusian presidential election process. It sets the stage for the campaign and provides an initial indication of the candidates' popularity and support among the electorate. The requirements of a large initiative group and a significant number of signatures aim to ensure that only serious and viable candidates proceed to the election.

After the nomination and signature collection process, the CEC plays a crucial role in evaluating the validity of the signatures and certifying the candidates. This step ensures that only those who have met the necessary requirements proceed to the next stage of the election process. The CEC's assessment helps maintain the integrity of the election and prevents any irregularities or fraud.

In summary, the nomination process for presidential candidates in Belarus is rigorous and demanding. Candidates must not only secure the support of an initiative group of at least 100 citizens but also collect 100,000 signatures from eligible voters. This two-step process ensures that those seeking the country's highest office have a significant level of support and provides a foundation for a competitive and transparent election.

The Central Election Commission can refuse registration if there are discrepancies in the income declaration or too many invalid signatures

In Belarus, the Central Election Commission (CEC) is responsible for overseeing the country's presidential elections. The CEC has the power to approve or deny candidates for political office, and it plays a crucial role in the election process.

To register as a presidential candidate in Belarus, there are several requirements that must be met. Firstly, nominees need to be part of an initiative group of citizens containing no fewer than 100 people. This initiative group must be registered with the CEC no later than 85 days before the election. Additionally, each candidate must collect at least 100,000 valid signatures from eligible voters. The CEC will then verify these signatures to ensure they meet the required threshold for registration.

However, the CEC can refuse to register a candidate if there are discrepancies or issues with their application. One reason for rejection is discrepancies in the income declaration. For example, in the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, the CEC voted unanimously to deny the registration of Viktar Babaryka due to alleged inconsistencies in his submitted income and property declaration.

Another reason for rejection is the submission of too many invalid signatures. In the same 2020 election, Valery Tsepkalo, who had submitted 160,000 signatures, was found to have only gathered 75,249 valid signatures, falling short of the required 100,000. As a result, the CEC rejected his candidacy.

The CEC's role in the registration process gives it significant influence over who can run for president in Belarus. The CEC's decisions can shape the outcome of the election by determining which candidates are allowed to participate. This highlights the importance of meeting the CEC's requirements and submitting accurate and complete information during the registration process.

The CEC has been criticised for its handling of elections, with international monitors and opposition groups alleging that the elections are neither free nor fair. There have been claims of widespread electoral fraud, voter intimidation, and media bias. As a result, the legitimacy of the CEC's decisions and the election results has been questioned by both domestic and international observers.

To win, a candidate must poll over 50% of the vote, with a minimum 50% voter turnout

In Belarus, the president is directly elected to serve a five-year term. Elections for president occur every five years by a national vote. For an election to be valid, more than 50% of registered voters must cast a ballot.

To win the election, a candidate must poll over 50% of the vote. If no candidate achieves this in the first round, a run-off election will occur between the two candidates with the most votes. The candidate who wins the most votes in the run-off is then declared the president-elect.

In the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, incumbent Alexander Lukashenko was announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to have won a sixth term in office, with just over 80% of the vote. However, the election was marred by claims of widespread electoral fraud, and opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya claimed to have won a decisive first-round victory with at least 60% of the vote.

If no candidate receives more than 50% in the first round, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates

In Belarus, the president is directly elected by the people for a five-year term. The president is the head of state and government and is tasked with executing foreign and domestic policy, defending the rights and welfare of citizens and residents, and upholding the Constitution.

The presidential election process in Belarus operates on a two-round system. In the first round, if a candidate earns fifty per cent plus one of the votes, they are declared the President-elect. However, if no candidate achieves this threshold, a runoff election, or a second round, is held between the top two candidates. The candidate who wins the most votes in the runoff election is then declared the President-elect.

The runoff election is conducted within two weeks of the first round. To win the election, a candidate must poll over 50% of the valid votes, and voter turnout must be at least 50%.

In the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, a runoff election was not required as Alexander Lukashenko was announced by the Central Election Commission (CEC) to have won a sixth term in office, with just over 80% of the vote. However, it is important to note that international monitors have questioned the transparency and fairness of the election process in Belarus.

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