Republic

Central election commission: Belarus has prepared 6,526 polling stations for local elections

A total of 6,526 polling stations have been formed in Belarus in the run-up to the local elections. As BelTA learnt from secretary of the central election commission Nikolai Lozovik, Brest oblast now has 992 stations, Vitebsk oblast – 967, Gomel oblast – 1,125, Grodno oblast – 794, Minsk and Mogilev oblast – 1,128 and 843 respectively, the city of Minsk – 677. He noted that in comparison with previous elections, the number of nominees reduced by 155 due to the changes in the administrative and territorial division of the country. Nikolai Lozovik also informed that the deadline for registration of initiative groups for nomination of deputies was on November 9. The number of registered groups will be made public in the near future. A reminder, by November 29 Belarus should complete formation of precinct election commissions. A total of 22,619 deputies of various levels will have to be elected at the coming elections on January 14, 2007.