Babruisk: UCP candidate was not allowed to deliver speech to electors

04.09.2008. Tags: elections-2008.

A candidate from the United Civil Party Uladzimir Siamashka was not allowed to speak at the meeting with the official candidate, deputy master of Babruisk town hospital #1 Alena Shamal.

The meeting was organized on 1 September at 4 pm by the administration of Pershamaiskaye branch of Belprambudbank, in the hall of this institution. ‘I also came there with my proxy,’ says Siamashka. ‘I thought I would be able to speak about my electoral program, but when the official part of the meeting ended the people were told to disperse. I asked to be given an opportunity to speak, but the deputy head of the bank Andrei Mironau said that it was working time and they had to work.’

At the end of the meeting the deputy head of the bank handed to Alena Shamal a bouquet of roses. He said that she had all chances to win and that after her election she would give a priceless help to citizens of Babruisk.

‘First of all, this meeting was held in the working time’, points an expert in electoral legislation Siarhei Alfer. ‘Secondly, the equality of the rights of candidates to meet with their electors was violated. Both are serious violations of the law. That’s why it is necessary to apply to the procuracy with the demand to punish the person who prohibited the other candidate to speak.’

Uladzimir Siamashka and Alena Shamal are running at Babruisk-Leninskaya electoral constituency #78.

Human rights activists for free elections