News for 2 верасьня 2008
Head of Rechytsa constituency commission says Putsitski owns thousands of shares
During the registration of candidates to the Chamber of Representatives the head of Rechytsa constituency electoral commission Vital Atamanchuk stated that candidate Putsitski allegedly owned thousands of shares of stock companies. Putsitski’s adherents consider this statement as an attempt to raise doubts among those who attended the sitting of the commission and thus discredit the candidate.
Horki: candidate is threatened with changes in biography and prohibition to publish his electoral program
Constituency electoral commission #81 threatens Andrei Yurkou, a candidate for deputy from the Belarusian Popular Front Adradzhenne, with introduction of changes in his biography and prohibition to publish his electoral program in the local newspaper.
Brest: Raman Kisliak asks permission for picket dedicated to disappearance of Hanchar and Krasouski
The human rights activist Raman Kisliak has addressed Brest city executive committee to obtain permission for holding a picked dedicated to an anniversary of the disappearance of Viktar Hanchar and Anatol Krasouski. He intends to hold the picket on 16 September.
Central electoral commissions received 50 complaints
As of 10 a.m. on 2 September the Central electoral commission received 50 complaints from the persons who had not been registered as candidates to the Chamber of Representatives. This information was voiced by the CEC secretary Mikalai Lazavik. He also stated that on 3 September the CEC would consider the complaints filed by dwellers of the regions and on 4 September – those filed by Minsk dwellers. The commission would also gather on 5 September should it be necessary.
Newspaper is blacklisted because of journalist’s engagement in the elections
the Ministry of Information issued two official warnings to a non-state newspaper Bobruiskiy Kurier at once. One more warning had been issued to it on 7 November 2007. Having three warnings, the newspaper can be closed down by the court.
Hrodna: an official candidate withdraws from the elections
One of the candidates registered at Hrodna-Zaniomanskaya constituency #49, Siarhei Kamianetski, withdrew from the elections. The constituency electoral commission confirmed this fact to the observers, but offered no explanations. The only thing they were told was that they could read about it all the next day, in the local state press.
Central electoral commission does not regard numerous publications about pro-regime candidates as early agitation
The state media started publishing articles about the merits of the state officials who intended to run for the parliament, without waiting for the official registration of candidates for the parliament. Their ‘bright images’ were promoted for the readers already before the official registration of their candidacies and the beginning of the official state of agitation. As far as there were many such publications in the state mass media, the CEC received many addresses concerning early agitation.
Democratic candidates are weeded out
The number of unregistered democratic candidates at the parliamentary election is extremely high, so one can’t say the oncoming election is democratic.
BPF Youth protest against education reform
On 1 September activists of the youth organization of the Belarusian Popular Front party held a protest rally against school reform.
Oppositional candidates are not admitted to TV
The candidates representing the authorities are often showed on TV while the opposition still have no access to the air.
Three candidates of the United democratic forces withdraw from election
The head of the Homel oblast organization of the United Civil Party Vasil Palyakou and Homel UCP activist Leanid Sudalenka refused to run in the parliamentary election.
Homel oblast: eight persons refuse from membership in constituency electoral commissions
On 1 September the members of the United Democratic Forces who had been appointed to constituency electoral commissions addressed the executive committees of Homel city and Homel oblast and the Presidiums of Homel oblast and Homel city soviet of deputies with statements about refusal to continue their work in the electoral commissions. They motivated this step by saying that the authorities again prepare to hold a farce with a predictable result.
Minsk: electors confirm authenticity of their signatures for Yury Karetnikau
On 28 August South-western constituency #99 refused to register Yury Karetnikau as candidate to the Chamber of Representatives. The official reason for the refusal was that 16% of the checked signatures were invalid. The politician thinks that this number is groundless. He has already directed an appeal to the Central electoral commission.
CIS observer doesn’t know about Karma and Rahachou?
On 29 August the coordinator of the CIS observation mission in Homel oblast Ivan Katlabai stated that in Homel oblast there were no constituencies having less than two candidates. This information, however, does not meet the reality.
September: more students to be expelled?
An activist of Polatsk branch of the Young Front Mikola Dzemidzenka was informed that he would be expelled from historical faculty of Polatsk State University.
Past week of the electoral campaign: events and generalizations
The main event this week was registration of candidates to the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus. According to the Central electoral commission, 276 candidates out of 365 were registered. 76 of the registered ones represent the united democratic forces.
Belarusian Popular Front Party withdraws candidates from parliamentary elections
On August 30 the Sojm (Council) of the Belarusian Popular Front party decided to withdraw party candidates for deputies before 23 September.
Police try to detain activist of ‘European Belarus’ Marta Maiseyenka
An activist of the civil campaign European Belarus Marta Maiseyenka is persecuted for dissemination of informational materials calling upon boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Belarusian Christian Democracy to boycott the election
Members of the organizing committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) will withdraw their candidates from the pre-election campaign by 23 September.
