PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SET TO BE IN EARLY SUMMER

UNCLAS MINSK 001086 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BO SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS SET TO BE IN EARLY SUMMER ¶1. Summary: The chair of the Central Election Committee (CEC) announced on August 30 that the 2006 presidential election would be held no later than July 20. The chair of the CEC explained the basic rules for an election campaign while not trying to hide her pro-Lukashenko attitude. She predicted few contenders would become candidates and indirectly predicted Lukashenko would retain his position. Foreign observers are welcome, but only by invitation. The CEC chair pointed out that foreign financial support for candidates would be viewed as a hostile move and would be met with appropriate actions from the MFA. End Summary. ¶2. Chair of the Central Election Committee (CEC) Lidia Yermoshina announced on August 30 that the 2006 presidential election would take place by July 20. Yermoshina noted that according to Belarus' constitution, presidential elections are to be held no later than two months before the incumbent president's term expires. President Lukashenko's term ends on September 20, 2006. According to Yermoshina, the last acceptable date for an election is July 16, but Belarus' Chamber of Representatives would decide the date during their spring session. ¶3. On September 7, the state-owned newspaper Respublika interviewed Yermoshina. Yermoshina admitted that the elections would occur when much of the electorate would be on vacation. This is not a problem, however, because the government plans to accommodate those on vacation by bringing polling boxes to sanatoriums, resorts, and even voters' homes and dachas (cabins). In addition, voters can vote five days before the official Election Day begins. ¶4. Yermoshina explained the eligibility requirements to run for the office of the president. Candidates must be Belarusian citizens, 35 years or older, and have resided in Belarus for the last ten years. In order to be on the ballot, a candidate must collect 100,000 signatures, but according to Yermoshina, only influential and well-known politicians are able to accomplish this. Yermoshina noted that four politicians gathered the needed signatures in 2001, but more than four candidates at the next presidential election would be "very imaginative." Besides, Yermoshina stressed, other than President Lukashenko, there is no other well-known figure in the political figure and, therefore, there would be no need for second-round elections. ¶5. A candidate can begin campaigning only after he/she is registered, but no sooner than one month before Election Day. According to Yermoshina, all candidates can speak on the radio, television, and publish their latforms and issues in one of the central governent newspapers. Each candidate will receive USD 7,000 from the state budget for their campaign, articularly to print leaflets. However, Yermoshna warned that any Western financing for candidate will be viewed as interference in domestic affars; such activity will be met with a strong reacton from the MFA and law enforcement bodies will ake appropriate actions, including against diploats. Yermoshina opined that Western money would only be used for dirty campaigning and for discrediting the leading presidential candidate, much like what allegedly happened in 2001. International observers will be invited in principle, but the actual composition of observer teams is a question the President, MFA, and Parliament will decide. ¶6. Comment: Even though a date is not set, the 2006 Presidential elections will most likely take place in the early summer. Yermoshina, towing the usual "free and fair" election line, could not hide her pro-Lukashenko attitude and expectations that Lukashenko will "win" a third term as president. This is the beginning of the election campaign and the outcome already appears to be decided. PHLIPOT