Mazyr: early voting beyond common sense

As of 23 April, 489 electors voted at precinct #40 located in the secondary school #6 in Mazyr. Earlier, proxies of Siarhei Lapusta, a candidate of the United Civil Party, kept a duty at this precinct. Some 9-10 persons usually voted there in their presence. However, on 23 April one of the candidate's proxies stayed there till late and was informed about this record number.

About 20-30% of electors voted at other precincts of the Paleskaya constituency #43 where Uladzimir Tseliapun, a member of the Belarusian Popular Front, is running.

Such high numbers are achieved with the use of threats. In particular, the commandant of the dormitory of the open stock company Belaruskabel threatens the dwellers with eviction unless they vote early.

The precinct election commission that is located in this dormitory is headed by H.Ivanou, manager of Belaruskabel, whereas almost all members of the commission are workers of this company.

As it also became known, all schools of Mazyr need to report to the district education department at 10 a.m. about the number of the voted teachers and parents of schoolchildren.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections