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A parrot has been accepted to stand in a local election in Belarus after authorities approved his application.

The Mazur electoral commission processed the photoshopped documents, written by Kanstantsin Zhukouski on behalf of his pet, Yasha, to run in the municipal poll.

They also processed an application to set up an associated campaign group for the bird.

Talking to Belapan, Mr Zhukouski explained that he photoshopped an image of the bird into a copy of his passport before posting it off.

He said his parrot had long dreamed of becoming a deputy and had learnt to say several phrases as part of his candidacy bid such as "where is money?" and "I want to go to the council chamber".

His political slogan was a simple "Yasha is good."

He added: "As long as there is a passport copy, you may draw even a pig, and as today’s case shows, even get it registered."

However, despite such an easy entry into the political running Mr Zhukhouski said that Yasha pulled out because "being a regional councillor isn't very prestigious."

Another motivation could have been to avoid a possible penalty for electoral fraud.