The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 21 Aug 2008

21.08.2008 Mahiliou: Members of district election commission proposed people to refuse from signatures for independent candidate

District election commission # 87 has invented a way to withdraw Tatsiana Shambalava from the race. Shambalava is a member of Belarusian Christian Democracy and a candidate on the unified list of UDF.

21.08.2008 Barysau: Yarmoshyna did not see violations in the actions of executive committee’s newspaper

On August 6th the Adzinstva newspaper founded by Barysau rayon executive committee, published an article by retired colonel Uladzimir Zhukouski. The article, titled “Touched with Attention” urged the residents to “give their votes for respectable and tireless worker, attentive and careful person”, who, in the author’s opinion, is incumbent MP Viktar Huminski.

21.08.2008 Haradok: neither voters, nor district commission aware of composition of precinct commissions

According to the election law of the Republic of Belarus and the Calendar Plan of the Election Events, precinct election commissions were to be created no later than August 13th. Decisions about creation of the precinct commissions, with indication of their membership lists, location, and contact phone numbers were to be published in local state media during 7 days from their creation.

21.08.2008 Baranavichy: Even time of the commission’s sessions concealed from election observers

Chair of Baranavichy rural district # 7 P. Dubouski refused observer of the Belarusian Helsinski Committee Mikalai Chyzhykau teh opportunity to look through the minutes of the commission's session. Dubouski also refused to inform the observer about the time of tthecommission's session.

21.08.2008 Baranavichy: State media deliberately conceal the places of work of commission members

Karnei Piatrovich, BHC monitor, managed to find out, precinct election commissions in Baranavichy were mostly formed through nomination by work collectives and signature collection. Although a work collective can nominate only one representative in the commission, the precinct commissions mostly consist of 10-12 members from the same work collective. Moreover, chairs of the commissions are often bosses of the other commission members in their company’s hierarchy.

21.08.2008 Hrodna: CIS observers impossible to find

Hrodna observers and journalist have already spent a week trying to find out the location of CIS observers who arrived in Hrodna.

21.08.2008 Navahradak: Executive committee makes excuses for Yury Istomin’s detention

The story of Yury Istomin’s detention on August 18th was widely spread in the Internet. Istomin was detained by Navahradak police. That’s why he was late to register the signatures in the executive committee and submit documents for his registration as a UDF candidate in Navahradak district.

21.08.2008 Formation of election commissions

Legal regulations According to Article 28 of the Election Code, preparation and organization of the election to the Chamber of Representatives is provided for by the district and precinct election commissions.