Some 98 candidates to run for 60 seats at Vitebsk Oblast Council of Deputies

VITEBSK, 26 March (BelTA) – The toughest competition is expected to unfold at the elections to the Vitebsk, Orsha, Polotsk and Novopolotsk town councils. Here the competition will average 1.66 people per one seat, BelTA learnt from the oblast election commission for the elections to the local Councils of Deputies of the 26th convocation. Some 98 candidates will compete for 60 seats at the Vitebsk Oblast Council of Deputies. Political parties are represented by 18 candidates, of them nine are members of the Belarusian Popular Front. Taking part in the election campaign are 24 women and 22 incumbent members of the councils. Territorial and district election commissions registered 3,761 out of 3,820 applicants. Some 52 applications were denied because of inaccurate information in the declarations and the violations during signature collection. Another seven nominees withdrew their applications. Some 67 successful candidates were nominated by political parties. Besides the members of the Belarusian Popular Front, they include representatives of the Belarusian United Left Party Fair World, Belarusian Social and Democratic Party (Hramada), Communist Party of Belarus and Civil Party of Belarus. Women make up 46.2% of all candidates, people under 30 - 6.2%, the incumbent members of the councils 49%. Most of the candidates work in the social sphere, education, science and healthcare (28%). The agricultural industry is represented by 23.7% of candidates, industry 12.6% and the unemployed 3.2%. The election campaign will run until 24 April. The local authorities have designated the places where candidates can hold meetings, rallies and other events. A total of 3,530 candidates will be elected to the local Councils of Deputies. The elections are scheduled for 25 April 2010.

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