Belarusian parliamentary election, 2016

Last updated
Belarusian parliamentary election, 2016
Flag of Belarus.svg
  2012 11 September 20162020 

All 110 seats in the House of Representatives
Turnout 74.68%

 First partySecond partyThird party
 
Party Communist RPPS Patriotic
Last election310
Seats before301
Seats won833
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 5Increase2.svg 2Increase2.svg 3

 Fourth partyFifth party
 
Party LDP OGP
Last election00
Seats before00
Seats won11
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 1Increase2.svg 1

Belarus 2016.png
Polling station in Povstyn Parliamentary elections in Belarus 2016 29.jpg
Polling station in Povstyn
Women singing near polling station in Veseia Parliamentary elections in Belarus 2016, 80.jpg
Women singing near polling station in Veseia
Members of a commission showing empty ballot box before its closure, Slutsk Parliamentary elections in Belarus 2016, 63.jpg
Members of a commission showing empty ballot box before its closure, Slutsk
OSCE observers in a polling station in Bokshytsy Parliamentary elections in Belarus 2016, 74.jpg
OSCE observers in a polling station in Bokshytsy

Parliamentary elections were held in Belarus on 11 September 2016. [1]

Belarus country in Eastern Europe

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, formerly known by its Russian name Byelorussia or Belorussia, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Its capital and most populous city is Minsk. Over 40% of its 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi) is forested. Its major economic sectors are service industries and manufacturing. Until the 20th century, different states at various times controlled the lands of modern-day Belarus, including the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire.

Contents

Electoral system

The 110 members of the House of Representatives were previously elected using the two-round system. However, a new electoral code was introduced in 2013, abolishing the requirement for candidates to receive an absolute majority, effectively changing the voting system to first-past-the-post. All candidates are elected in single-member constituencies. [2] However, if there is only one candidate, they are required to receive at least 50% of the votes cast (voters may also vote against all). [2] [3] Voter turnout in a constituency must be at least 50% for the election to be deemed valid. [3]

House of Representatives of Belarus lower house of Belarus parliament

Under the 1996 Constitution, the House of Representatives is the lower house of the parliament of Belarus.

Two-round system voting system used to elect a single winner where a second round of voting is used if no candidate wins an absolute majority in the first round

The two-round system is a voting method used to elect a single winner, where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate. However, if no candidate receives the required number of votes, then those candidates having less than a certain proportion of the votes, or all but the two candidates receiving the most votes, are eliminated, and a second round of voting is held.

First-past-the-post voting voting system in which voters select one candidate, and the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate wins

A first-past-the-post electoral system is one in which voters indicate on a ballot the candidate of their choice, and the candidate who receives the most votes wins. This is sometimes described as winner takes all. First-past-the-post voting is a plurality voting method. FPTP is a common, but not universal, feature of electoral systems with single-member electoral divisions, and is practiced in close to one third of countries. Notable examples include Canada, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as most of their current or former colonies and protectorates.

In cases where the turnout have not been met or no candidate has been elected, repeat elections will be held. [3]

Seat distribution
RegionSeats
City of Minsk 20
Brest Region 16
Gomel Region 17
Grodno Region 13
Mogilev Region 13
Minsk Region 17
Vitebsk Region 14
Total seats110
Seal on a ballot box for early voting, Slutsk. Left picture was taken in the evening of the last day of early voting, right - in the morning next day Broken stamp on parliamentary elections in Belarus, Sluck, 2016.jpg
Seal on a ballot box for early voting, Slutsk. Left picture was taken in the evening of the last day of early voting, right - in the morning next day

Participating parties

The pro-government Communist Party of Belarus, the Liberal Democratic Party, the Republican Party of Labour and Justice and the Belarusian Patriotic Party all participated in the elections, whilst many pro-government candidates ran as independents.

Communist Party of Belarus communist party

The Communist Party of Belarus is a communist and Marxist–Leninist political party in Belarus.

The Republican Party of Labour and Justice, also known by its acronym RPTS is a social democratic political party in Belarus founded by Ivan Antonovich in 1993. The chairman is Vasil Zadnyaprany. The party is considered to be supportive of the government of president Alexander Lukashenko.

The Belarusian Patriotic Party is a political party in Belarus loyal to President Alexander Lukashenko. Nikolai Ulakhovich is party chairman.

In contrast to the previous elections in 2012, the opposition did not boycott the elections, instead forming an alliance under the name Prava Vybora (The Right to Choose) consisting of the BPF Party, the Belarusian Christian Democracy, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Assembly), the Za svabodu movement, the United Civic Party of Belarus, the Belarusian Party "The Greens", the Belarusian Liberal Party of Freedom and Progress and the Trade Union of Electric Industry. [4] The Belarusian Left Party "A Just World" also contested the elections. [5]

BPF Party

The BPF Party, is a political party in Belarus. It was de-facto established after the split of the social movement Belarusian Popular Front or BPF (Belarusian: Беларускі Народны Фронт "Адраджэньне", translit. Biełaruski Narodny Front "Adradžeńnie" or БНФ in 1999. The Belarusian Popular Front was founded during the Perestroika era by members of the Belarusian intelligentsia, including Vasil Bykaŭ. Its first and most charismatic leader was Zianon Pazniak.

Belarusian Christian Democracy political party

The Belarusian Christian Democracy is a Christian-democratic political party in Belarus, established in 2005, which claims to be continuation of a short-lived movement with the same name, which existed at the beginning of the 20th century.

PartyLeaderIdeologyPositionNumber of participating
constituencies
Liberal Democratic Party Sergei Gaidukevich Pan-SlavismConstructive opposition (declarative)
Pro-government (in fact)
73
United Civic Party of Belarus Anatoly Lebedko Liberal conservatismPart of the opposition alliance "The Right to Choose"53
BPF Party Alaksej Janukevich Belarusian nationalismPart of the opposition alliance "The Right to Choose"45
Belarusian Left Party "A Just World" Sergey Kalyakin Democratic socialismOpposition37
Communist Party of Belarus Igor KarpenkoCommunism, Marxism–LeninismPro-government36
Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Assembly) Irina VeshtardSocial democracyPart of the opposition alliance "The Right to Choose"27
Republican Party of Labour and Justice Vasil ZadnyapranySocial democracyPro-government16
Belarusian Patriotic Party Nikolai UlakhovichSocial justicePro-government16
Belarusian Party "The Greens" Aleh NovikaŭGreen PoliticsPart of the opposition alliance "The Right to Choose"5

Results

Seats won in the new Belarusian parliament
Independents: 93 seats
Communist Party of Belarus: 8 seats
Belarusian Patriotic Party: 3 seats
Republican Party of Labour and Justice: 3 seats
Opposition (United Civic Party and 1 independent): 2 seats
Liberal Democratic Party: 1 seat Belarusian Parliament Structure September 2016.svg
Seats won in the new Belarusian parliament
  Independents: 93 seats
   Opposition (United Civic Party and 1 independent): 2 seats

The Central Election Commission stated that elections had been deemed valid in all constituencies. At the same time, independent observers declared that turnout data had been falsified in many constituencies, particularly in Minsk, and the real turnout was less than 50% required for the results in a constituency to be deemed valid.

The elections saw two opposition candidates win seats; Hanna Kanapatskaya, a member of the United Civic Party won in one of the Minsk constituencies, whilst independent candidate Alena Anisim won in a constituency in the Minsk Region. The other 93 independent candidates were considered to be pro-government. The Communist Party of Belarus, the Republican Party of Labour and Justice and the Belarusian Patriotic Party all support President Alexander Lukashenko, and although the Liberal Democratic Party declares to be "constructive democratic opposition", it is de facto pro-government.

President of Belarus head of state of Belarus

The President of the Republic of Belarus is the head of state of Belarus. The office was created in 1994 with the passing of the Constitution of Belarus by the Supreme Soviet. This replaced the office of Chairman of the Supreme Soviet as the head of state. The tasks of the president include executing foreign and domestic policy, defending the rights and general welfare of citizens and residents, and upholding the Constitution. The president is mandated by the Constitution to serve as a leader in the social affairs of the country and to act as its main representative abroad. The duties, responsibilities and other transitional clauses dealing with the presidency are listed in Chapter Three, Articles 79 through 89, of the Constitution.

Alexander Lukashenko President of Belarus since 20 July 1994

Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko is a Belarusian politician serving as President of Belarus since the office was created on 20 July 1994. Before launching his political career, Lukashenko worked as director of a collective farm (kolkhoz) and spent time with the Soviet Border Troops and the Soviet Army. He was the only deputy to vote against the independence of Belarus from the Soviet Union.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Communist Party of Belarus 380,7707.408+5
Liberal Democratic Party 218,0814.241+1
Republican Party of Labour and Justice 147,3782.873+2
United Civic Party 111,2272.161+1
Belarusian Patriotic Party 111,0452.163New
BPF Party 88,5111.7200
Belarusian Left Party "A Just World" 72,1851.4000
Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Assembly) 66,3811.2900
Belarusian Party "The Greens" 9,0380.180New
Independents3,445,56267.0194–11
Against all491,9869.57
Invalid votes69,707
Total5,211,8711001100
Registered voters/turnout6,978,49074.68
Source: CEC (Results), CEC (Candidate information)
Coat of arms of Belarus (official).svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Belarus

Related Research Articles

Politics of Belarus

The politics of Belarus takes place in a framework of a presidential republic with a bicameral parliament. The President of Belarus is the head of state. Executive power is exercised by the government, at its top sits a prime minister, appointed by the President. Legislative power is de jure vested in the bicameral parliament, the National Assembly, however the president may enact decrees that are executed the same way as laws, for undisputed time. Belarus's declaration of independence on 27 July 1990, did not stem from long-held political aspirations but from reactions to domestic and foreign events. Ukraine's declaration of independence, in particular, led the leaders of then Belarusian SSR to realize that the Soviet Union was on the brink of dissolving, which it did.

New Patriotic Party political party in Ghana

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is a centre-right and liberal conservative party in Ghana. Since the democratization of Ghana in 1992, it has been one of the two dominant parties in Ghana politics; its leading rival being the centre-left National Democratic Congress (NDC). John Kufuor of the NPP was President of Ghana from 2001 to 2009. At the elections held on 7 December 2004, the party won 129 out of 230 seats. The NPP candidate was Kufuor, who was re-elected as President with 52.75% of the vote. The New Patriotic Party symbol is the African elephant and the New Patriotic Party colors are red, white, and blue.

North Down (UK Parliament constituency) Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom

North Down is a parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom House of Commons. The current MP is Sylvia Hermon, first elected in the 2001 general election. Hermon represented the constituency on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party until 2010, subsequently sitting as an Independent.

Regular elections in Croatia are mandated by the Constitution and legislation enacted by Parliament. The presidency, Parliament, county prefects and assemblies, city and town mayors, and city and municipal councils are all elective offices. Since 1990, five presidential elections have been held. During the same period, nine parliamentary elections were also held. In addition, there were six nationwide local elections. Croatia has held two elections to elect 11 members of the European Parliament following its accession to the EU on 1 July 2013.

Elections in Belarus

Belarus elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five-year term by the people. The National Assembly has two chambers. The House of Representatives has 110 members elected in single-seat constituencies elected for a four-year term. The Council of the Republic has 64 members, 56 members indirectly elected and eight members appointed by the president.

Elections in Hungary are held at two levels: general elections to elect the members of the National Assembly and local elections to elect local authorities. European Parliament elections are also held every 5 years.

Elections in Lithuania

Elections in Lithuania gives information on elections and election results in Lithuania.

1992 Croatian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held alongside presidential elections in Croatia on 2 August 1992, the first after independence and under the new constitution. All 138 seats in the Chamber of Representatives were up for election. The result was a victory for the Croatian Democratic Union, which won an absolute majority of 85 seats. Voter turnout was 75.6%.

2006 Belarusian presidential election

The Belarusian presidential election of 2006 was held on 19 March. The result was a victory for incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who received 84.4% of the vote. However, Western observers deemed the elections rigged. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) declared that the election "failed to meet OSCE commitments for democratic elections". In contrast, election observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) described the vote as open and transparent.

Civic Party political party in Hong Kong

Civic Party is a pro-democracy liberal political party in Hong Kong. It was established in 29 March 2006 by a group of barristers. Led by Alvin Yeung and chaired by Alan Leong, the party is the fourth largest party in the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, commanding five seats. It also has 12 seats in the District Councils.

2007 Moroccan general election elections

Parliamentary elections were held in Morocco on 7 September 2007, the second of King Mohammed VI's reign. Voter turnout was estimated to be 37%, the lowest in Moroccan political history. There were 33 different parties and 13 independent candidates competing for 325 assembly seats. An amount of $61 million was allocated by the Moroccan government to organize the 2007 elections.

Vladimir Novosiad Belarusian politician

Vladimir Novosiad is a Belarusian politician of liberal orientation, the leader of Belarusian Liberal Party of Freedom and Progress. He was born on April 12, 1968 in Kiev (Ukraine). Variants of his name include the following: Vladimir Novosyad, Uladzimir Navasiad, Uladzimir Navasyad,. Married and has two daughters.

Alexander Dabravolski Soviet politician

Alexander Alherdavich Dabravolski is a Belarusian politician, lawyer, and radio physicist.

The Merthyr Tydfil by-election, 1915 was a parliamentary by-election held on 25 November 1915 for the British House of Commons constituency of Merthyr Tydfil in Glamorganshire, Wales.

1991 Hong Kong legislative election

The 1991 Hong Kong Legislative Council election was held for members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo). The election of the members of functional constituencies was held on 12 September 1991 and the election of geographical constituency seats was held on 15 September respectively. It was the first ever direct election of the Legislative Council in Hong Kong history. There were 18 members from directly elected Geographical Constituencies, 21 members from Functional Constituencies, 17 members appointed by the Governor, and 3 official members.

2012 Belarusian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Belarus on 23 September 2012. At stake were the 110 seats in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the National Assembly of Belarus.

2013 Kuwaiti general election

Early general elections were held in Kuwait on 27 July 2013. The elections were required after the Constitutional Court dissolved Parliament and annulled the results of the December 2012 elections. Voter turnout was an estimated 52.5%, which was higher than expected despite an opposition boycott, and only 7% lower than the non-boycotted February 2012 elections.

2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election

A snap election of the Verkhovna Rada took place on 26 October 2014.

2015 Belarusian presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Belarus on 11 October 2015. Long-term president Alexander Lukashenko ran for his fifth term in office, having won every presidential election since independence in 1991. He was re-elected with 83.47% of the vote. The 'against all' option received more votes than any opposition candidate.

2016 Mongolian legislative election

Legislative elections were held in Mongolia on 29 June 2016. The governing Democratic Party lost to a landslide victory of the Mongolian People's Party, retaining only 9 of 76 seats in the Great Khural. While they just lost under 2% of the popular vote, a new electoral law passed by the Democratic Party itself when in Government to promote two-party politics, together with a 14% rise of the MPP, ended up making them lose 25 of 34 seats. As a result, the MPP secured a supermajority with 65 of 76 seats.

References