Local councils election campaign to start in Belarus not later than 24 December

        The election campaign to choose members of the local councils of deputies will start in Belarus not later than 24 December 2013, Secretary of the Central Election Commission of Belarus Nikolai Lozovik told media. In line with Belarusian laws, the elections to the local councils of deputies should be approved by the Belarusian President at least four months beforehand and should be conducted not later than 30 days before the expiry of the term of office of the current councils of deputies. The authority of the current councils of deputies will expire on 25 April.
        As was informed earlier, the law “Concerning amendments and additions to some laws on elections and referendums of the Republic of Belarus” will come into force in December 2013. Nikolai Lozovik highlighted several amendments to these laws. Candidates to local councils of deputies will be allowed to raise campaign funds. Candidates will have to disclose all their previous criminal offences, even spent ones. The ban on calls to boycott elections will be introduced during the forthcoming campaign.