The Central Commission as a standing body has been formed by the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR on December 4, 1989. At that time the Central Commission activity was guided by the Law of the Byelorussian SSR on Elections of Peoples' Deputies of the Byelorussian SSR. After the nation-wide referendum conducted on November 24, 1996, the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus has established the status of the Central Commission for the first time. Subject to the Constitution, the Central Commission is formed by the President of the Republic of Belarus and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on a par basis. The Central Commission consists of 12 members of whom six are appointed by the President and another six are elected by the Council of the Republic. The Chairperson of the Central Commission is appointed by the Head of the State from among the commissioners with the consent of the Council of the Republic. The Vice-Chairperson and Secretary are elected from among the commissioners at the first meeting. Normally, the Central Commission is formed from the citizens with higher juridical education and experience in organizing and holding elections and referenda. The Central Commission term of office is five years. The Central Commission activity is regulated by the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus and the Commission's Rules of Procedure.