Local Elections Scheduled for March 2, 2003 :: Charter'97 :: News

Alexander Lukashenko by his November 22 decree appointed elections into the local councils of deputies of the 24th convocation, due to be held on March 2, 2003. The issue has been raised for consideration at the November 22 meeting, hosted by the Administration.

Pointing out the importance of the forthcoming electoral campaign, Lukashenko again reiterated that the councils, along with the trade unions and youth movement, form “three strongholds of the civil society, on which it rests and will rest in the future”. Lukashenko pinpointed that it is necessary to preserve and strengthen “those good working ties between the councils and the executive, which are widespread around the country”. “You got to work as one team and only then there will be real result,” – said the head of state.
The main thing in the upcoming elections is the personnel makeup of the councils. According to Lukashenko, females and youths must hold up to 40% of positions there. “A woman is a stabilizing factor, which may ensure the effective work of any body of power,” – said he.
The coming elections’ peculiarity is that the candidates for the posts will for the very first time be presenting their income declarations. In this connection, Lukashenko stressed the necessity to fairly and thoroughly fill out such a declaration. Even the smallest distortion will automatically be deemed as the basis to drive the nominee out of the race, said Lukashenko.
He entitled the Interior Ministry and KGB to ensure public order at the elections.
“Elections are an exam to the current local authorities and you have to pass it well,” – concluded Lukashenko.
In course of the meeting the chairman of the Central Commission of Belarus for elections and national referenda Lidya Ermoshina, and heads of the regional and Minsk city executive committees informed the head of state about preparations for the start of the election campaign.