Belarusian Popular Front: nomination of Chavusau and Labkovich to precinct commissions is a test for authorities

BPF nominated 68 persons to the precinct election commissions of Minsk, including political scientist Yury Chavusau and lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich who hadn’t been included in the Minsk city election commissions and in the district elections commissions of Minsk.

Members of the BPF Party were nominated to precinct election commissions mostly in the constituencies where other members of the party are running.

'The experience of the previous elections shows that it is almost impossible to receive adequate information from precinct election commissions', said Vadzim Kanapatski, Deputy Chairperson of the Minsk city organization of the Belarusian Popular Front. 'The poll is counted in a closed regime, which is inadmissible, because in this case elections cannot be called open and transparent.'

Mr. Kanapatski emphasized that the only cardinal means to change this situation is to include representatives of all interested parties in the precinct commissions so that these representatives would watch one another's actions, thus preventing violations of the election process. In this case, the main principle of elections, openness and transparency, will be implemented, which will increase the public confidence in the election results.

'The previous stages of this year's elections witness that very few representatives of the opposition are included in election commissions,' added Vadzim Kanapatski. 'We think that this tendency will continue in precinct election commissions. What concerns the nomination of Yury Chavusau and Uladzimir Labkovich in these commissions – it is a peculiar test for the authorities. By another refusal to include these specialists in election laws in the commissions they will once again demonstrate their inability to participate in competitive elections.'

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections