Elections: 12 non-alternative constituencies taken by pensioners
Only one candidate will be running in their constituencies. In seven constituencies (Ivatsevichy, Pinsk Rural, Navapolatsk, Vaukavysk, Navahrudak, Maladzechna Rural and Niasvizh), there was no alternative candidate from the very beginning.
Commenting on this to the European Radio for Belarus, Mikalai Lazavik from the Central Elections Commission noted that this had happened due to the lack of party structures in the regions.
“Apparently, political parties were unable to nominate their representative in those constituencies. There are simply no partisan structures. But there could be other reasons as well… Citizens could have nominated candidates by submitting their applications, but this has not happened somehow, either”.
In five constituencies, only one out of several contenders registered initially has remained in the race. Thus, the list of those running without competition includes: directors of state-run enterprises, local officials, several current MPs, a chief hospital doctor and a headmaster.
Human rights activist Ales Byalyatski believes that 12 non-alternative candidates at the first stage of the election campaign are too much.
“This tells about an abnormal situation created by the electoral laws, the Central Elections Commission and local election commissions”, he said.
According to Mikalai Lazavik, the Central Elections Commission does not like this non-alternative situation, either. “Non-alternative constituencies are not the best option for elections”. Candidates will have to gain more than half signatures of voters that will come to the polls.
“The main condition is to gain over 50 percent of votes who come to the polls. The elections will be recognized valid when over half of registered voters come to the polling stations”, Lazavik said.
What do the candidates think about running without a competitor? In Barysau constituency, Vasil Huryanau – director general of the state-owned Barysau Bakery – is a sole candidate. The local commission denied registration to Siarhei Salash, a nominee from the Party of the Belarusian Popular Front. Huryanau is calm about the situation and says he was not interested why this situation happened.
“It is, of course, more interesting to compete, but I am not personally choosing this situation. I am told Salash – who was supposed to run – is a good guy… But I did not feel I should poke my nose in someone’s affairs on this issue”.
Meanwhile, the oppositionists who were not registered as candidates maintain that blame should be put on the local authorities and pro-government candidates. Pavel Staneuski of the opposition Belarusian Party of Communists was nominated against Maria Birukova, a deputy chairman of the Hrodna Regional Executive Committee. He, just like Siarhei Salash, was not registered as a candidates on the grounds he had filed false signatures.
“Maria Birukova, a pro-government candidate, is the only reason why I was not registered. Birukova stood behind my registration failure. She is an elderly person. She wants to spend her pension years in the parliament by getting a good pay there…”
Indeed, it can be easily observed that mostly pensioners or those nearing the retirement age prevail in non-alternative constituencies. Perhaps, lawmaking will become their last job in their careers.
The list of candidates in non-alternative constituencies:
Ivatsevichy constituency No 11
Leanid Kavalevich (1958) – Director General, Ivatsevichy Housing and Utilities
Pinsk Rural Constituency No 15
Kanstantsin Sheuchyk (1948) – Director General, Pinsk Constructions
Navapolatsk Constituency No 25
Ina Antonava (1952) – Chief Doctor, Children Hospital in Navapolatsk
Rahachou Constituency No 45
Uladzimir Mikhasyou (1949) – Head of Housing Department at Homel City Hall
Vaukavysk Constituency No 48
Leanid Ellyashevich (1951) – Chairman, Zelva District Administration
Masty Constituency No 56
Vasil Stsyapura (1952) – First Deputy Chairman, Hrodna Regional Administration
Navahrudak Constituency No 57
Philip Bohush (1952) – Director, Breeding Station Karelichy
Smarhon Constituency No 59
Tatsiana Holubeva (1947) – MP
Schuchyn Constituency No 60
Maria Birukova (1949) – Deputy Chairperson, Hrona Regional Administration
Barysau Rural Constituency No 63
Vasil Huryanau (1955) – Director General, Barusay Bakeries
Maladzechna Rural Constituency No 71
Uladzimir Sinyakou (1947) – head of HR department at the Office of the President
Niasvizh Constituency No 72
Alena Novik (1962), Director, Shepichy Sports School, Kletsk district
Photo: baklan.org.ua
