UCP member not registered as candidate on first attempt
When the member of the United Civil Party Uladzimir
Maliarchuk made the first attempt to pass the documents for the registration of
his candidacy for the Parliament to the election commission of the Vileika
constituency, he presented a copy of his party membership card.
The commission refused to accept the document without seeing the original of
the card. In response Mr. Maliarchuk asked the commission member who had
allegedly been nominated there by “Red Cross” to present the original of her
membership card. As it was found out, the authorities just “believed her words”
during her inclusion in the commission.
Thus, in spite of having all necessary documents Uladzimir Maliarchuk didn't
manage to get registered as a candidacy on first attempt. Meanwhil, according
to the Electoral Code, prospective candidates can present to constituency
commissions copies of their membership cards.
Mr. Maliarchuk says that it was not difficult for him to bring the original of
the card, but this incident reflects the unequal attitude towards
representatives of pro-governmental and oppositional structures.
“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”
