Among those submitting papers to electoral authorities for yesterday's deadline was independent Alyaksandr Milinkevich, who was chosen in October to be the sole candidate of united opposition forces.
Other hopefuls who submitted papers include Valeriy Frolov, Alyaksandr Kozulin, Alyaksandr Voytovich, and Sergei Skrebets.
Incumbent President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who is seeking another term, and two other hopefuls -- Zenon Poznyak and Sergei Gaidukevich -- submitted their applications on 22 December.
Electoral authorities are expected to announce on 27 December which hopefuls have been registered. Those who get registered will then need to gather 100,000 voter signatures to be officially added to the ballot.
(ITAR-TASS/Reuters)