Observer in Mazyr asks to scrutinize signature sheets

Uladzimir Tseliapun, an observer in the city of Mazyr, has sent a petition to the district election commission asking to provide him with an opportunity to view the signature sheets submitted in support of the presidential contenders. The observer also asks the commission to allow him to be present during the procedure of verification of the signature sheets. Uladzimir Tseliapun refers to Part 1, Article 13 of the Electoral Code, according to which "the preparation and holding of presidential elections shall be carried out openly and publicly."

In addition, the observer has written to local authorities, chairmen of the district executive committee and the District Council of Deputies, asking for clarifications on so-called 'working groups', which were charged with considering nominations to the election commissions.

He recalled that at a meeting of the district council and the executive committee held on July 21 the officials voiced information that all the submitted documents for the nomination of representatives to the Mazyr district election commissions had been reviewed and discussed by a ‘working group’. "Neither the local newspaper Žyccio Paliessia, which is run by the executive committee and the District Council, nor the website of the executive committee has published a decision on the establishment of the ‘working group’, its competencies, rights and responsibilities, and the general powers of the body during the election campaign,” says the observer.

"Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"