The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The administration of the Mineral Wax Plant in the village of Svislach (the Pukhavichy district, the Minsk oblast) told to one of the employees: either you work or run in the elections.

The nomination of candidates to the local Soviets of Deputies by working collectives started in Vitsebsk. As a rule, working collectives nominate those who are supported by administrations of enterprises and state organs and authorities. During the recent years not a single independent or oppositional candidate has been nominated by a working collective.

Actions of the territorial election commissions in the Orsha district raise doubts about the transparency of the election campaign.

According to the timing schedule of the elections to the local Soviets of Deputies of the 26th Convocation, the local administrations needed to establish by 23 February election precincts, determine their addresses and boundaries and publish this information within ten-day term.

On 28 November the Homel oblast organization of the United Civil Party nominated its representatives to precinct election commissions in the constituencies where UCP members intend to run. At the same sitting it was decided to nominate representatives of the Homel oblast organization of the United Civil Party to the sittings of the state organs responsible for the formation of polling station election commissions.