Vitsebsk: state newspapers publish interviews with pro-governmental candidates ahead of agitation stage

On 7 August the newspapers founded by Vitsebsk administration published huge interviews with photos of the pro-governmental candidates to the parliament. Vitsbichy published an interview with Viktar Auchynnikau running who intends to run on Vitsebsk Chkalauskaya electoral district #18 (Pershamaiski administrative district), Narodnaye Slova and Vitsebski Rabochy – with Uladzimir Andreichanka who intends to run on Hlybokaye electoral district #22 (Hlybokaye, Dokshytsy and Ushachy districts).

The most interesting is the interview with Andreichanka. It is signed by Mikhail Kuzmich and Volha Sidarovich. The former is the head of the ideological department of Vitsebsk oblast executive committee and the latter – a worker of this department. Uladzimir Andreichanka is the head of Vitsebsk oblast executive committee. Thus, it is a crying case of the use of administrative resource.

By the way, according to Article 73 of the Electoral Code candidates have no right to use the advantages of their official position in the electoral process.