14.10.2009 OSCE is disappointed with absence of progress in electoral system of Belarus

Janez Lenarcic, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, sees no interest of the Belarusian authorities in liberalizing the Electoral Code.

23.09.2009 Over 50 politicians, civil and cultural figures sign address to General Prosecutor’s Office

Over 50 Belarusian politicians, civil and cultural figures have signed an address to the General Prosecutor’s Office, demanding to initiate a criminal case, following President Lukashenka’s statement, admitting the 2006 presidential election was rigged. ‘We would like to address every organization concerned with reforming the existing electoral legislation, with a demand to sign the statement. Lukashenka’s declarations in his interview with the Izvestiya newspaper are an open challenge to both Belarusian politicians and ordinary citizens, and the civilized international community. Lack of response would mean accepting the role of silent creatures.’ The statement will be lodged with the Prosecutor’s Office on 24 September, says one of the initiators of the campaign and UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka.

28.08.2009 Dictator confirmed rigging presidential elections

Alyaksandr Lukashenka said the results of the presidential elections 2006 were rigged.

The Belarusian ruler told in an interview published in “Izvestia” newspaper on August 27: “I have information that 93% voted for me at he last elections. Later, when I felt pressure, I admitted that the elections had been forged. I told then: “Yes, they are forged.” I ordered that the results should be about 80%, I don’t remember the exact figure, but not 93%. 90 is difficult for perception. But this is true.”

30.07.2009 ENEMO issues statement on parliamentary election in Moldova

ENEMO (European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations) has issued a statement on the pre-term parliamentary election in the Republic of Moldova. ‘The ENEMO International Observers’ Mission in the Republic of Moldova officially declares that it withdraws its international monitoring mission of the parliamentary election in the Republic of Moldova. The mission would like to declare that, under the conditions created by the authorities, it is absolutely impossible to perform an adequate monitoring. Besides opposition by the official authorities, the observers received threats from unknown persons of criminal appearance. In this situation, the mission cannot guarantee the security of its observers and will have to stop its activities,’ says the statement.

14.04.2009 Oppositionist Leanid Autukhou is not employed because of his political views

The head of a district organization of the BPF Party Leanid Autukhou has already spent more than a year trying to get employed with the aid of the social employment center in Haradok.

18.02.2009 UCP to strive for mixed voting method

During a press-conference on 18 February, Anatol Liabedzka, Chair of the United Civic Party of Belarus, declared that the party would initiate a public campaign to introduce changes to the Constitution in order to transfer the Belarusian electoral code to the mixed voting method. According to Mr.Liabedzka, the propositions were sent to the President’s administration and the OSCE ODIHR. Mr.Liabedzka says the existing majority rule fails to prove its value. The UCPB suggests introducing the so called proportional representation system, by making amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Code of Belarus. ‘It might be an additional stimulus for the development of the multi-party system in Belarus,’ said the UCPB leader.

05.02.2009 Minsk authorities send opposition activists to Banhalor Square again

Minsk city executive committee has named Bangalore Square as the place for gathering of the group collecting signatures for amendment of the Electoral Code.

19.01.2009 Open-air meeting?

According to UCP leader Anatol Liabedzka, the initiators of a campaign for introducing changes to the Belarusian electoral legislation do not have a place to hold a constituent assembly. ‘We have over 800 persons in the group. We have addressed 12 Minsk conference halls and have so far received 6 replies – all of them were negative,’ said Mr.Liabedzka.

17.10.2008 Opposition to struggle for new election law

On 15 October, the United Democratic Forces of Belarus adopted an action plan for the nearest future. Their primary goal is introducing changes to the electoral legislation.

03.10.2008 Central election commission ignores manipulations of election results

The spokesman of the Central Election Commission Mikalai Lazavik said complaints of observers and former MP candidates wouldn’t influence the results of the Parliamentary elections.

05.06.2008 Activist of the BPF Party is fired from ‘Beltransgas’

Alexander Mekh, the chairman of Kobryn organization of the Belarusian Popular Front Party, was warned that he would be fired from work. The activist associates it with his intention to run at the upcoming parliamentary election.

12.05.2008 Young Front supports boycott of the upcoming election

The underground youth organization Young Front is against participation in the so-called parliamentary election appointed on autumn by the Belarusian authorities.

08.05.2008 Coordinator of Charter’97 Zmitser Bandarenka proposes to boycott the elections

‘The regime has given up on dialogue and democratization by unleashing a real terror against political opposition and the civil society. That is why the democratic forces are to start realization of a different strategy,’ believes the coordinator of the Charter’97 Zmitser Bandarenka.

17.04.2008 Pro-dem forces to readdress parliament for election code changes

According to the UCPB leader Anatol Liabedzka, the National Committee of the United Democratic Forces will address the Belarusian parliament with a request to introduce changes to the electoral code of Belarus. Most of them deal with the system of monitoring poll procedures, as well as the rights and opportunities of inner and external observers.

30.01.2008 Lidia Yarmoshyna: Institute of international election observation is a purely political tool

Institute of international election observation is a purely political tool, Lidia Yarmoshyna, chairperson of the Central Election Commission, stated in the interview to Belaruskaya Dumka magazine.