News on the topic: United democratic forces
17.10.2008 Opposition to struggle for new election law
On 15 October, the United Democratic Forces of Belarus adopted an action plan for the nearest future. Their primary goal is introducing changes to the electoral legislation.
22.09.2008 Less and less candidates left
Less and less candidates continue to participate in the election to the Chamber of Representatives. 270 candidates continue the struggle for 110 mandates. CEC secretary Mikalai Lazavik gave this number to RFE/RL today. Out of 270 candidates, 69 represent the United Democratic Forces.
21.09.2008 UDF will not withdraw candidates
On September 21st the Political Council of the United Democratic Forces took place in Minsk. UDF participation in the parliamentary election 2008 was on the agenda. The UDF Political Council decided not to withdraw its candidates. “There will be no organized withdrawal of candidates representing the United Democratic Forces”, -- UCP leader Anatol Liabedzka told BelaPAN.
15.09.2008 Minsk: warning to Stalislau Bahdankevch
On 12 September professor Stanislau Bahdankevich, former head of the National Bank, a honorary member of the United Civil Party received a warning from the electoral commission of Chkalauskaya constituency #96 in Minsk at which he is running for the parliament.
11.09.2008 Homel oblast: members of United Civil Party leave constituency commissions
Members of the United Civil Parties stop their membership and work in the constituency electoral commissions in Homel oblast. They directed the appropriate statements to the presidium of Homel oblast soviet of deputies and to Homel oblast executive committee (the state agencies that had formed the commissions).
18.07.2008 UDF remains in the election process
The question, how the United Democratic Forces will further participate in the election, became the main issue in the agenda of the UDF Presidium on July 17th. When only 35 representatives from the unified UDF list were included in the commissions, and in conjunction with endless detentions of pro-democratic activists, some members of the Presidium suggested the opposition forces should limit their participation in the election process. According to UCP chairman Anatol Liabedzka, it was proposed to stop election campaigns in the districts were the UDF were left without representatives in the district election commissions. As a result of the discussion, the Presidium decided to carry out additional consultations on that issue with the potential candidates and political structures within the UDF. Liabedzka believes the democratic forces should remain in the election process for the time being: -- For now we have as much political will to go as far as we can in the election distance. If we declared boycott from the very beginning today we would have nothing to propose except emotions and some old speeches. According to Liabedzka, participation in the election allows the opposition forces to receive additional proofs how undemocratic the process is. In its turn, this will become the ground for the international structures in order to make a decision about recognizing or not recognizing the election results. As for the UDF, they will say their final word only on August 24th, at the session of the Political Council. The stages of candidates’ nomination and registration will be passed then. We will be able to exactly say, if it’s worth to continue the election campaign, the UCP leader stressed.
