Vitebsk: campaign materials of the official candidate found at polling station

On September 20th Vitebsk residents continued to nominate observers to precinct election commissions and polling stations. At the same time, observers encountered certain problems.

For instance, polling station # 52 of Pershamaiski rayon of Vitebsk was locked. It was possible to open it only with the help of the telephone call to the district election commission of Vitebsk-Chkalauskaya district # 18. The district commission immediately sent commission secretary Liubou Arlova, who lives near the polling station to open the doors. Instead of apologizing, Liubou Arlova said she would not register the observer’s nomination form until the chairman of the commission arrives. The district commission stopped the unlawful actions of the secretary and apologized for her behavior. The application was registered.

At the window of the polling station # 52 the general poster with portraits of all candidates was accompanied by the campaign leaflet of the government-supported candidate Viktar Auchynnikau.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections