No real elections in Homel region, says local Pro-Dem Coalition

Representatives of the Homel Regional Coalition of the United Pro-Democratic forces report mass rigging of the local election results at a press-conference on 26 April.

Vasil Paliakou, the regional observation coordinator, who was also member of a constituency election commission in Homel, said that he, as member of a constituency election commission, was unable to contribute to the transparency and openness of the elections.

According to observers, the voters’ turnout in the constituency greatly differs from the figures announced by the election commission. For instance, observers say that 501 persons cast their ballots at polling station #20, while the commission announced 1,453 voters. The same situation is recorded at polling station #27, where the commission’s results named 1,591 voters and the observers say only 576 persons cast their ballots.

He stressed that opposition representatives had maintained observation in numerous campaigns and named the current rigging unprecedented.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’