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 (Нацыянальны сход, Nacyyanal'ny skhod) has two chambers. The House of Representatives (Палата прадстаўнікоў, Palata Pradstawnikow) has 110 members elected in single-seat constituencies elected for a four year term. The Council of the Republic (Савет рэспублікі, Saviet Respubliki) has 64 members, 56 members indirectly elected and 8 members appointed by the president.
Belarus is a state in which the president dominates. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.
Famous quotes containing the word elections:
“In my public statements I have earnestly urged that there rested upon government many responsibilities which affect the moral and spiritual welfare of our people. The participation of women in elections has produced a keener realization of the importance of these questions and has contributed to higher national ideals. Moreover, it is through them that our national ideals are ingrained in our children.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)