Orsha: undercover canvassing in local newspaper

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’ have already reported numerous facts of state-owned newspapers campaigning for loyal candidates across the country.

Another sample of hidden agitation can be found in the local newspaper of Orsha district. The 12 pro-state candidates running for local councils of various levels were advertised by the ‘Arshanskaya hazeta’ newspaper as excellent economic executives, including head of ‘Orshavodakanal’ Vital Asialedzets, jead manager of ‘Chyrvony baratsbit’ plant Aliaksandr Shulhin, head of ‘Belhres’ state enterprise Uladzimir Luzin and other pro-government candidates in February-March 2010, before their official registration as candidates.

At the same time, the newspaper failed to mention any of the opposition candidates in its articles during the period.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’