1.Candidate for member of the community Council of Elders being elected through the proportional electoral system shall acquire his or her status upon registration of the electoral list of a political party running in elections. The rights and responsibilities prescribed by this Code shall extend to a candidate for member of the community Council of Elders being elected through the proportional electoral system until the expiry of the time limit prescribed for challenging the decision of the electoral commission on members of the community Council of Elders being elected through the proportional electoral system, and in case this decision is challenged — until the adoption of a court decision. Within the meaning of this Article, the notary-certified application for recusal shall be deemed valid where it is submitted to the Central Electoral Commission within a maximum 3-day period after certification.  

The registered candidate for member of the Council of Elders shall lose his or her rights pertaining to the status of a candidate and shall be exempt from the responsibilities also in cases prescribed by Articles 133 or 135 of this Code upon revoking or declaring as invalid the registration of the electoral list of a political party or a candidate included in the electoral list, respectively. In case of appealing, through judicial procedure, against the decision of the electoral commission on declaring as invalid the registration of the electoral list of a political party or a candidate included in the electoral list, the candidate shall lose his or her rights pertaining to the status of a candidate and shall be exempt from responsibilities upon the entry into force of the court decision. 

Where a mandate of member of the Council of Elders becomes vacant, the applications for recusal of persons included in the electoral list of a political party shall be certified by a notary, or the person shall approve the application for recusal at the sitting of the electoral commission.  

2.Candidates shall have equal rights and responsibilities arising from the status of a candidate for member of the community Council of Elders being elected through the proportional electoral system.