MINSK, 9 September (BelTA) - Nomination of candidates to the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus will begin on 9 September and will last until 8 October, BelTA has learned.
The right to nominate candidates to the Council of the Republic belongs to the presidiums of base-level local councils of deputies and the corresponding executive committees, and to the presidium of Minsk City Council and Minsk City Hall in the Belarusian capital. Voting on the candidates registered by the CEC for seats in the upper house of parliament takes place at meetings of base-level local councils, and Minsk City Council. A candidate who receives more than half of the votes is considered elected.
The Council of the Republic is a chamber of territorial representation. The procedure for its formation combines elements of election and appointment. Eight members are elected from each oblast and Minsk by secret ballot, while eight more senators are appointed by the president. The upper house of parliament has a total of 64 members.
Elections to the Council of the Republic are scheduled for 7 November, while elections to the House of Representatives are slated for 17 November.
