27.10.2010 Observation ban in Barysau

Barysau observers Maryna Statkevich and Aleh Matskevich recived a reply from the town election commission, claiming that ‘Article 13 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus does not provide for an opportunity of observing the procedures of verification of voters’ signatures in the signature sheets, submitted by members of campaign teams.

27.10.2010 Babruisk law enforcement and emergency departments personnel prohibited to sign for opposition Presidential hopefuls

According to Siarzhuk Latsinski, Babruisk activist of Ryhor Kastusiou’s campaign team, the staff of local police and emergency departments were warned against signing for alternative candidates in the forthcoming presidential election.

27.10.2010 Vitsebsk police fail to find criminal who beat activist Liadouski

According to Vitsebsk Pershamaiski department of internal affairs, the city police have been unable to find the offender who beat up activist Andrei Liadouski during canvassing for signatures in one of Vitsebsk blocks of flats back on 17 October.

27.10.2010 EHU student Dziadok still in prison

On 26 October Minsk City Court ruled to extend detention of a European Humanities University student Mikalai Dziadok, previously arrested on suspicion of attacking the Russian Embassy in Minsk back in August 2010. On 1 October, he was charged with attacking the General Headquarters of the Ministry of Defense.

26.10.2010 Ministry of Justice of Belarus has not registered the BCD Party

The Ministry of Justice of Belarus denied the party Belarusian Christian Democracy (BCD) in state registration.

“The Ministry of Justice examined the materials concerning the state registration of BCD party and the decision to reject has been taken”, - “Interfax-West” agency was informed in the Ministry of Justice of Belarus.

26.10.2010 Administrative pressure in Hrodna district

On 20 October, Kanstantsin Dzmitryieu, resident of the town of Aziory, Hrodna district, lodged a complaint with the Central Election Commission against actions by the administration of a local farming company, who allegedly forced the staff to give their signatures for President Lukashenka.

26.10.2010 UN HR Committee to consider complaint by civil activist Surhan

The UN Human Rights Committee has reportedly accepted for consideration the individual complaint submitted by Belarusian civil society activist Taras Surhan, appealing the violation of his civil rights, after he was detained and fined BYR 175,000 for hanging out a white-red-white flag in Vitsebsk on 16 July 2009.

26.10.2010 Homel HR activists report canvassing for Lukashenka in working hours

The administration of a Homel-based Vipra company have been canvassing for signatures during their working hours, say local human rights defenders.

According to local human rights activist Anatol Paplauny, an activist of Lukashenka’s campaign team Ms. Viktotya Siomina was collecting signatures at the enterprise in her working hours, which is prohibited by the current election legislation.

26.10.2010 CEC abuses power, says HR defender Harry Pahaniayla

Minsk Maskouski Court considered a claim by a Belarusian Helsinki Committee lawyer Harry Pahaniayla, who earlier lodged a complaint against Decision #49 by the Central Election Commission, which considerably restricted opportunities to delegate representatives of political parties and NGOs to election commissions.

26.10.2010 Meetings of Zhodzina town election commission should be public, says local observer

Aliaksei Lapitski, observer at Zhodzina town election commission, addressed the commission with a statement, calling the officials to inform him on the time of meetings, after the commission members repeatedly failed to invite him to its meetings, including the recent one where the issues of constituency formation was considered.

26.10.2010 Lukashenka’s campaign team deserves a warning, says member of Minsk City Election Commission

Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s initiative group should receive a warning by the Central Election Commission, says member of Minsk city election commission Halina Siamdzianava, who took part in the consideration of a complaint by activists Mikita Krasnou and Viachaslau Dziyanau against violations of canvassing procedures by Aliaksandr Luakshenka’s campaign activists.

26.10.2010 Father Alexander Nadson joins campaign against death penalty

Father Alexander Nadson, the Apostolic Visitor for Belarusian Greek-Catholic faithful abroad and a notable Belarusian émigré social and religious leader, signed onto the petition for the abolition of the death penalty in Belarus.

26.10.2010 Naroulia executive committee engaged in unabashed support of Lukashenka

Local observers report cases of undisguised campaigning for President Lukashenka maintained by executive authorities of the town of Naroulia, Homel region.

26.10.2010 Representatives of Svetlahorsk election commissions visit homes before they are formed

Members of Svetlahorsk election commissions have reportedly started verifying voter lists, despite the fact the commissions have not yet been officially formed. Opposition activists say the authorities have secretly formed election commissions. At the same time, they cannot be formed before November 1.

26.10.2010 Another attack on Vitsebsk campaign activist

Siarhei Ulasau, activist of Vital Rymasheuski’s campaign team, has been reportedly attacked by drunken residents of a multi-storied apartment building in Budauniki Avenue in Vitsebsk.

The activist was beaten and his coat was torn. However, he did not report the incident to the police.