Salihorsk: runaround instead of answer

Observer of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee Leanid Markhotka was not admitted to the joint sitting of Minsk oblast executive committee and the presidium of Minsk oblast Soviet of deputies, at which district electoral commissions were formed. After it L.Markhotka entered a record in the complaint book of Minsk oblast executive committee (OEC). There he stated that by his illegal actions the deputy head of Minsk OEC V.Hurynovich had violated part 1, Article 13 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus.

Several days ago Mr. Markhotka received an answer signed by the head of the main personnel department of Minsk oblast executive committee Mikhail Ameliianchyk.

‘Minsk oblast executive committee considered Your address concerning illegal actions of the OEC officers. We inform You that according to the Regulations of Minsk oblast executive committee, adopted by the committee’s ruling #797 on 20 July 2007, only members of the oblast executive committee, invited persons and other persons on preliminary agreement of the district electoral commissions can take part in its sittings. You have not addressed the OEC in advance to inform it about your intention to take part in the joint sitting of the presidium of Minsk oblast Soviet of deputies and Minsk oblast executive committee.’

The last statement is not true, as the head of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee sent to Minsk oblast executive committee’s fax number the requirement to admit the observer Markhotka to the sitting, long before the sitting. During oral conversations with L.Markhotka the committee’s officers did not deny this fact.

Human rights activists for free elections