Hotsimsk: pro-governmental candidate uses administrative resource

Ivan Kazhemiaka, the head of the Mahiliou Tax Inspection, runs for the Mahiliou Regional Council of Deputies at the Khotsimskaya election constituency #54. As discovered by his rival, candidate of the Belarusian Popular Front Party Valery Karankevich, the pro-governmental candidate used the administrative resource.

’On 8 April, he held five electoral meetings, using his duty car and driver’s services. Then he went to the Khotsimsk District Executive Committee to report about his mission,’ says Valery Karankevich.

Mr. Kazhemiaka met with workers of the Khotsimsk District Executive Committee in the hall of the executive committee, held two meetings with electors in secondary schools #1 and #2 during the educational process, at the Trastsinets Village Council of Deputies and the Khotsimsk neurological nursing home.

’I proposed the constituency election commission to invite all candidates to such meetings. However, Mr. Kazheunikau doesn’t want to hold such meeting with my participation. It is a boldness I cannot put up with,’ says Viktar Karankevich.

On 15 April he lodged complaints with the constituency and the regional election commissions and with the Mahiliou Region Procuracy.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections