Orsha: BHC observer forced to leave election commission

Siarhei Trafimau, officially accredited as observer in Orsha, was not allowed to attend the meetings of the Orsha town election commission. The Belarusian Helsinki Committee representative says he has taken part in all the commission’s meetings since January. However, the situation suddenly changed.

According to the commission’s chair and chief executive officer of Orsha town executive committee Ina Khamutouskaya, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee had no right to delegate an observer to the town commission, but to the Central Election Commission only.

Still, the commission seems to have ignored the fact for two months. The observer himself says the decision is caused by an increased administrative pressure on the election campaign, mass early voting and possible orders to secure the necessary results communicated to the commissioners.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’