Salihorsk: precinct commissions are formed secretly

The latest events in Salihorsk witness the reluctance of the local authorities to admit public representatives to the sittings that are connected with important stages of the election campaign. In particular, on 10 March youth activist Ivan Shyla was detained by the police at the entrance of the room where the sitting on formation of precinct election commissions was taking place.

Leanid Markhotka, representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, didn’t manage to get to the sitting either, because he didn't receive any answer to his inquiry about the possibility to attend the sitting. On 10 March he phoned to the reception of the chairperson of the Salihorsk district executive committee and was told that the sitting had taken place the previous day.

Civil society activists have many times appealed against unlawful actions of state agencies, but without any results. Now they intend to lodge a complaint in connection with the detention of Ivan Shyla, though they have no illusions about the possible outcome.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections