Coordination Council election scheduled for May 25

February 9, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition activists will elect a new Coordination Council on May 25, the council announced after failing to organize the election on time.

Earlier this week, the body extended its mandate, due to expire on February 8, until new councilors have been elected.

Alena Žyvahłod, of the Honest People group, resigned as deputy speaker and left the council citing the expired mandate.

Another opposition group, the National Anti-Crisis Management, recalled its delegate Arciom Bruchan on similar grounds.

The direct election will be held under a proportional system, with a gender quota for women.

In November, security forces in Belarus carried out more than 130 raids as part of a criminal probe into the Coordination Council’s activities.

The Investigative Committee said more than 100 people were suspected of crimes such as plotting to overthrow the government and setting up an extremist group.