90% of constituencies in Vitsebsk region to be non-alternative

3,530 deputies will be elected on local councils, with 3,820 candidates having applied for registration, i.e. 1.09 candidates per each seat. However, it is clear that at least 90 per cent of the region’s constituencies will be non-alternative.

Political parties are represented by members of the Leftist ‘Just World’ party, the United Civic Party, the BPF, the CPB, the BCDP Hramada, as well as two unregistered parties – the BCD and the BCDP NH.

Famous public figures and politicians running in the election include the For Freedom movement member Khrystafor Zhaliapau, the BPF activist Kastus Smolikau, Aliaksei Haurutsikau (BCDP NH) and Volha Karach (UCPB). All of them are going to run for either the Vitsebsk Regional Council or the Vitsebsk City Council. Several opposition candidates will be running in village constituencies.

A number of pro-democratic candidates were forced to withdraw their applications due to various reasons: the BCD members Mikhas Valasach and Svitalana Sivets had to quit the campaign being threatened with dismissals by their employers; the Young Front activist Andrus Tsianuta, who is now serving in the army, failed to register his initiative group through the fault of the military unit’s commandment. The incident was appealed at the local prosecutor’s office.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’