Brest: Ihar Maslouski appeals hidden agitation for pro-governmental candidate
Ihar Maslouski, the leader of the Brest
social-democrats running for the Parliament at Brest-Central election
constituency #2, filed an appeal to the Brest-Central constituency election
commission concerning election violations admitted by his rival,
pro-governmental pretender Valiantsin Milasheuski, chief medic of the city
ambulance hospital.
According to Milasheuski, immediately after the registration of the electoral
team Milasheuski started an active agitation campaign with violations of the
electoral legislation.
In particular, the state-owned newspaper “Zarya” (founded by the Brest Region
Executive Committee and the Brest Region Council) published two articles about
personal qualities and business merits of Valiantsin Milasheuski. In one of the
publications he is presented as a successful head and reformed of a medical
institution. The other one (in the form of interview) concerns the personal
qualities of Milasheuski as a medical specialist and a man who “dedicated
himself to serving people”. Thus, according to Mr. Maslouski, his rival
conducts a hidden agitation with the use of means of state mass media, which
cannot be done by other prospective candidates.
Moreover, during the collection of signatures by members of Maslouski's
electoral team in the Brest suburb of Kavaliova more than ten citizens stated
they had already signed in support of Milasheuski during visits to polyclinic
#6. The author of the complaint concludes that the electoral team of Mr.
Miklasheuski uses office room and work of the polyclinic personnel during the
working hours for collection of signatures, which is prohibited by the law.
Ihar Maslouski asks the commission to take appropriate measures and reminds
that in the case these violations are confirmed the commission has the right to
refuse from registering the candidacy of Milasheuski. He also asks the
commission to provide equal conditions for all prospective candidates by
obliging the editorial board of “Zarya” to publish an article about him, on
equal terms with Milasheuski.
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”