BPF activist appeals denial of registration as candidate

The election commission of Zavodski district of Minsk denied yesterday registration to a candidate for the Minsk City Council Iliya Dabratvor. The potential candidate representing the Belarusian Popular Front was going to run in the city’s constituency No. 1.

The Commission argued that the activist, according to data provided in the declaration of income and assets and, based on the response from the Tax Inspection of Minsk district, had no income from business activities in the declared period of time. Thus, the commission believes that Iliya Dabratvor, who lived in the town of Kalodzishchy, Minsk district, is not engaged in business in the territory of Minsk and according to Art. 60 of the Electoral Code of Belarus cannot be registered as a candidate in the city of Minsk.

In his complaint, Iliya Dabratvor explains that is registered with the Inspectorate of Taxes and Duties of Zavodski district and as an individual entrepreneur pays a flat tax in a fixed amount. Meanwhile, information about his income for some reason was requested from the tax office of Minsk district, where he is not registered. Although the fact that the activist was registered as an individual entrepreneur could be seen from a certificate submitted to the election commission.

The commission also failed to assess a certificate provided by Dabratvor from his place of work, the Maximus shopping center, according to which the activist leases an outlet there.

Based on this, Iliya Dabratvor asks Minsk city election commission to consider his appeal within three days and reverse the decision of the election commission of Zavodski district.

"Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"