Homel regional council of the BPF Party decided to revoke its candidate

The Homel district council of the Belarusian Popular Front Party held a sitting at which it was decided to revoke its candidate, medic of the Homel city polyclinic Vasil Ramanau who was running at election constituency #8. As a result, the constituency will become non-alternative – only the pro-governmental candidate Viktar Shutau, manager of motor car park #8 will run there.

Before this, candidates were also revoked by members of the local coalition of United Democratic Forces – the Belarusian Party of Leftists Fair World and the United Civil Party. However, three members of each of these two parties continue taking part in the elections.

Vasil Paliakou, Chairperson of the Homel regional UCP organization, and Uladzimir Siakerka, Chairperson of the Homel regional organization of the Fair World, explain this step by saying that the elections aren't free. The amendments that were introduced in the election legislation weren't used in practice, and there's a minimal representation of members of political parties in precinct commission (only 22 out of the proposed 211 nominees were included in them). Mr. Siakerka also emphasized that activists of the parties were pressurized at all stages of the campaign by heads of their enterprises and the local authorities. This opinion is also shared by the Homel city BPF organization.

All in all, 27 out of the 40 constituencies on elections to the Homel city Council of Deputies are already non-alternative.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections