Mazyr candidate left without canvassing materials

On 22 April Mazyr District Court dismissed the complaint by Uladzimir Tseliapun, Belarusian Popular Front member, running for the Homel Regional Council, ‘since it is beyond the jurisdiction of the court.’ The candidate argued that the manager of the local printing house ‘Kalor’ Mr. Dyliuk had violated the Electoral Code by refusing to print the candidate’s election posters.

The incident was considered by the local constituency election commission, which failed to take any measures to solve the problem, although the Homel Regional Election Commission had earlier recommended it to foster the printing of Mr.Tseliapun’s posters.

As a result, the candidate lodged a complaint with the court, who, in turn, dodged its duties by claiming that the case was beyond the court’s jurisdiction.

‘I am member of the opposition political party of the Belarusian Popular front and my personal beliefs may not coincide with those of the state, especially with the ideas of the head of the enterprise, staff of the executive committee and the election commission. But this is my belief as a candidate representing the BPF political party and it should be evaluated by the voter through casting one’s abllot,’ says Uladzimir Tseliapun.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’