Problem campaigning: News from the regions

25.09.2008. Tags: Hrodna, Baranavichy, elections-2008, Yelsk.

Problem campaigning: News from the regions

Yelsk

Attempts of UCP candidate in Paleskaya district # 43 Mikalai Haurylenka to speak to the voters in Yelsk Palace of Culture were fruitless. The authorities refused to publish an ad about the meeting in the local press and refused to provide the conference room. It was raining all week long in Palesye that week, and it was impossible to hold any meeting in the open air.

Such a strong confrontation between the candidate and the local authorities was caused by Haurylenka’s TV speech. In comparison to his presentation the speech of Yelsk rayon executive committee chairman S. Kanoplich looked dull and blurry.

By the way, Haurylenka managed to publish his platform in Mazyr newspaper Zhytstsio Palesya only after he had complained to prosecutor’s office and the Central Election Commission.

Baranavichy

On September 23rd director of Baranavichy lyceum Aliaksei Bychkouski did not allow candidate Mikalai Charnavus to speak at a parents’ conference (District # 5). Meanwhile, his opponent – incumbent MP General Anatol Vankovich sat at the presidium of the parent's conference.

Hrodna

UCP candidate in Hrodna-Paunochnaya district # 51 Yaraslau Ramanchuk encounters obstacles in organizing meetings with voters. During one week Ramanchuk received several refusals from the representatives of the local "vertical" in organizing meetings in schools and state company clubs. For example, head of Hrodna construction materials plant refers to emergency state of the plant’s Club. At the same time, despite the “emergency state” various events, including parties and weddings, were held in the Club that week.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections