Head of Barysau regional election commission abuses power, says local human rights activist

On 24 February human rights activist Aleh Matskevich lodged a complaint with the Central Electoral Commission against Chair of Barysau regional election commission Mikalai Zeliankevich, claiming that the official had abused his authority by refusing to provide information on the progress of the elections despite the activist’s mandate of observer.

Mr. Matskevich claims that, under the current legislation, electoral observation can be maintained after the declaration of the observer’s intent and his (or her) subsequent registration on the election commission’s register. However, Mr. Zeliankevich ignored the arguments, saying the observer’s application had to be considered at the commission’s meeting on 24 February.

The human rights activist later applied for the clarification of the disputable issues to the Central Electoral Commission. The Commission’s head of Public Relations Department Aliaksandr Piskunou admitted that Mikalai Zeliankevich had abused his authority as chair of the local election commission.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’