Democratic candidates file documents for registration as candidates for local Soviets throughout Belarus (updated)

Baranavichy
On 15 March, member of the Belarusian Popular Front Viktar Miaziak filed documents for registration as a candidate for the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at Baranavichy city election constituency #18. Viktar Tsiapin, a member of the Belarusian Party of Leftists Fair World, filed documents for registration as a candidate at constituency #18 and Aliaksandr Halkevich, another member of Fair World – at election constituency #23. Anzhela Kambalava, a representative of the United Civil Party, filed documents for registration as a candidate to the Baranavichy oblast Soviet of Deputies at the Baranavichy north-west election constituency #15.

Documents were also filed by four representatives of the unregistered party Belarusian Christian Democracy. Halina Yarashevich filed documents for registration as a candidate for the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #24 and for the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy south election constituency #19; Aliaksandr Kabiak – for registration as a candidate for the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #9 and for the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy north-east election constituency #16; Siarhei Zabenka – for registration as a candidate to the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #15 and the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy east election constituency #17 and Aleh Malashchanka – for registration as a candidate to the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #19 and the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy south election constituency #23.

Ryhor Hryk, activist of the For Freedom movement, filed documents for registration as a candidate to the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #15 and the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy south election constituency #17) and the independent candidate Mikalai Charnavus – for registration as a candidate to the Baranavichy city Soviet of Deputies at election constituency #4 and the Brest oblast Soviet of Deputies (Baranavichy west election constituency #21).

There are 36 seats in the Baranavichy city Soviet.

Mazyr
Uladzimir Tseliapun filed documents for registration as a candidate of the Belarusian Popular Front for the Homel oblast Soviet of Deputies at Paleskaya election constituency #43, and as a representative of the electorate – to the Mazyr district Soviet at Kalektyunaya election constituency #18. Uladzimir Repko filed documents for registration as a candidate for the Homel oblast Soviet at Prytytskaya election constituency #45, Andrei Kora – at Prypiatskaya election constituency #42 and Siarhei Lapusta - for registration as a candidate of the United Civil Party for the Mazyr district Soviet at the Katayeuskaya election constituency.

Anatol Petukhou who intended to run for the Homel oblast Soviet at Internatsyianalnaya election constituency #41 but was included in precinct election commission #21 decided to refuse from running as a candidate and remain a member of the commission. Precinct #21 belongs to the election where Uladzimir Repko, member of the United Civil Party, intends to run.

Barysau

As said by Siarhei Salash, head of the electoral team of the BPF member Zmitser Babitski, economist and expert of CASE-Belarus, the documents for Babitski’s registration were filed with the Barysau district election commission, including 88 signatures of electors in support of his candidacy. Mr. Babitski intends to run for the Barysau district Soviet at election constituency #15.

In his application to the Barysau district election commission Zmitser Babitski wrote that a total of 788 electors signed in support of his candidacy and attached the Xerox copies of the signatures. He also reminded members of the commission that the Belarusian legislation provided criminal responsibility for violations of election laws and asked him to familiarize with applications of members of the three precinct commissions located on the territory of election constituency #15.

Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections