Homieĺ: observer is forbidden to take photocopy of protocol of voting

October 7, the long term observer of the campaign "Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections" Leanid Sudalenka appealed to the chairman of the Saviecki District Electoral Commission of Homieĺ Alena Herashchanka.

The reason for the appeal is the prohibition to take a photo of the protocol of early voting.

“October 6 I exercised the duties of an observer at polling station №61 of the Saviecki district of Homieĺ. After the end of the voting I addressed the members of the district commission for permission to make a photocopy of the voting protocol, but received a categorical prohibition. I was told to copy the protocol in writing, " says the independent observer.

Leanid Sudalenka believes that the members of the precinct commission have not adequately studied and understood the rules of the electoral law and the practice of its application, which resulted in the breach of the principle of openness and transparency in the conduct of the elections.

"The preparation and conduct of elections shall be open and public. The observers shall have the right to produce copies of the protocol of the precinct commission on the voting results by their own efforts and at their own expence (Art. 13 of the Electoral Code). Law enforcement practice of this provision of the election law shows that almost everywhere PECs understand it correctly, without disturbing the observers who make such copies by their own means, including by taking photo copies of the protocols of voting,” wrote the observer in his complaint to the superior electoral commission.

Leanid Sudalenka requests urgent measures to ensure the principles of openness and transparency at polling station №61 of the Saviecki district of Homieĺ and inform him in writing about the measures taken.

"Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"