The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for 28 Sep 2008

28.09.2008 Minsk: activity of electors ‘suddenly decreases’ on the last day of early voting

The last day of early voting, 27 September, was defined by a much lower turnout in comparison to the other four days. Thus, now the opinion that the last Friday was chosen the culmination day for the electoral farce, is supported by facts.

28.09.2008 Mahiliou: eviction from hostels for refusal to vote early

The commandant of the hostel of Khimvalakno enterprise in Shmidt Street 5a did not let in the citizens who did not vote early. According to their information, the commandant Haurulenka was standing at the check-point and directed those who had not voted to the polling stations.

28.09.2008 Zhabinka: policeman votes for his friends

We learned that at polling station #44 a policeman who has been present there since the beginning of early voting, asked members of the precinct commission to let him vote for his friends, workers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, whose residence was registered in Zhabinka, whereas they lived in Brest.

28.09.2008 Vitsebsk: Street cleaner obliged to agitate for candidate Auchynnikau

On 27 September in the morning election observers saw a street cleaner Alena Marhalava posting leaflets in support of a pro-governmental candidate Viktar Auchynnikau near the porches of houses on the territory of Vitsebsk-Chkalauskaya electoral constituency #18, where the candidate is running. Together with the leaflets she posted a critical article from the newspaper Vitbichi, about an MP Alexander Hudkou, who decided to run for the second term without the agreement of the authorities.

28.09.2008 Kalinkavichy: Pressurization of observers continues

On 26 September an observer from the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Dzianis Rabianok has been summonsed to Kalinkavichy district procuracy. There he was familiarized with a criminal case under Article 9.10 (violation of the electoral laws) that was brought against him. The formal reason for the case was an ‘application from citizens of Yelsk. Mr. Rabianok was not explained what he was charged with. He lives in Kalinkavichy and is an observer at electoral commission #41.