Pro-Lukashenka canvassing auto rally is an outrage against election legislation

According to the Belaruskaya Niva state-owned newspaper, on 19 November Saint-Petersburg activist launched a canvassing auto rally entitled ‘We are for Batska!’ The rally has been arranged by the Slavonic Brothers Russian society and AutoRadioClub.

The rally is expected to cover 3.300 kilometers of Belarus, including Minsk, Mahiliou, Homel, Brest and other towns. The rally is a convoy, decorated with Belarusian flags and pro-Lukashenka slogans.

The rally reportedly crossed the Belarusian border on 20 November.

However, the Electoral Code prohibits involvement of foreign nationals in canvassing activities. Paragraph 10 of Article 48 of the EC states that ‘direct or indirect participation of foreign states and organizations, international organizations, foreign-invested organizations, foreign nationals or persons without citizenship in financing or other financial support of preparation or conduct of elections is prohibited.’ The same Article provides revocation of registration of the candidate.

Belarusian human rights activists are going to appeal the violation at the Central Election Commission.

‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’