01.08.2008 Police interrogate members of Vasil Paliakou’s initiative group concerning Minsk blast

On 30-31 July Natallia Shchukina and Tatsiana Tserashkova, member of the initiative group of Vasil Paliakou, were summonsed to Savetski district police department of Minsk by a telephone call. A police officer who did not introduce himself told them to come to the police department. He offered no explanations either.

01.08.2008 Horki: state newspaper media agitates for pro-governmental candidate

An article Active Faze of the Campaign, dedicated to the elections to the Chamber of Representatives, was published in Leninski Shliakh newspaper for 26 July 2008. The article informs the readers about the campaign’s schedule. A separate paragraph, in bold font, was dedicated to the pro-governmental pretender to candidate, Tatsiana Asmalouskaya, and her meeting with the working collective of Ausianka enterprise on last Tuesday. As a result of this meeting the working collective supported Asmalouskaya and nominated her candidacy to the Chamber of Representatives at Horki electoral district #86.

01.08.2008 Khoiniki: collection of signatures takes place with violations of the electoral law

On 31 July Leanid Sudalenka, member of the United Civil Party, addressed in writing the head of Khoiniki district electoral commission, asking to conduct a check-up on the facts of gross violations of the electoral law by those who collected signatures for the candidacy of H.Dashkevich, advisor of the head of Homel oblast executive committee.

01.08.2008 Svetlahorsk: teachers are forcibly included in electoral commissions

A teacher from Salihorsk who did not want her name to be mentioned, told how the electoral commissions were formed there. ‘Piatro Kulakouski, master of our gymnasium, summonsed the teachers one by one and told them he included them in the electoral commissions. Most of the teachers are women who do not want to participate in any commissions. When they tried to refuse, he reminded them that it would be taken into consideration when the question of prolonging the working contracts to them was considered.’

01.08.2008 Baranavichy: state media start early agitation for deputy Vankovich

Recently almost all mass media of Baranavichy have started publishing frequent articles about the activities of Anatol Vankovich, deputy of the Chamber of Representatives. Mr. Vankovich intends to run for this position for the second time already. Meanwhile, the Electoral Code permits agitation only after the end of candidates’ registration.

01.08.2008 Sviatlana Lapitskaya withdraws her candidacy

Member of the Belarusian Popular Front party Sviatlana Lapitskaya withdrew her candidacy in the office of the Zhodzina district electoral commission and refused to register an initiative group. Lapitskaya called on everyone to express distrust to the Central Electoral Commission, the current regime and not to participate in the voting.

31.07.2008 Baranavichy: Signatures for candidate collected on the order of the ideological department

On the order of the ideological department of Baranavichy city executive committee a telephoned telegram was sent to Baranavichy schools on July 22-23, 2008. The telegram proposed every school to send 5 employees to collect signatures for the candidate to the Parliament.

31.07.2008 Signatures for official nominees collected at workplaces

In Rechytsa and Khoiniki election districts signatures are collected both for pro-democratic and for the “official” candidates. Signatures for the former are collected through a door-to-door campaign, and for the latter – by the administration at workplaces.

31.07.2008 Orsha: state mass media start campaigning

Orsha state-owned mass media begin promoting pro-governmental candidates more and more openly. Recently the local Arashanskaya Hazeta published two articles by incumbent MP Uladzimir Zhvikou. The author especially stresses the role of head of the Belarusian Railways Uladzimir Zharela in the development of Orsha railway center. Uladzimir Zharela registered an initiative group in Orsha city district # 26.

31.07.2008 Smarhon: Attempts to discredit candidate Iryna Veshtard continue

On July 30th false flyers on behalf of Iryna Veshtard’s manager and human rights defender Alexander Dzerhachou appeared in Smarhon. The flyer says: “My colleague in human rights activities Iryna Veshtard needs financial assistance. Iryna Veshtard does not work for 12 years because of lack of good jobs. Her activity in the opposition party lead by Kazulin does not bring her good income. But Iryna needs to organize a campaign to be elected Member of Parliament and defend your rights. I appeal to all citizens who are concerned about the future of our country, asking to donate 10 thousand BYR in support of Iryna Veshtard. Call me on telephone number: (………)”

31.07.2008 CEC failed to satisfy Vinahradau’s complaint

On July 31st the Central Election Commission considered the complaint of Zmitser Vinahradau from Miadzel. Vinahradau complained against registration of his initiative group and creation of obstacles during submission of documents.

31.07.2008 Hrodna: Show-sessions carried out for observers

Independent observers have an impression, district election commissions organize show sessions for them. Independent observer Yanka Kurcheuski was invited by phone to a session of district election commission # 50 by phone. From the very beginning he felt negative attitude from the commission members. They reacted very nervously to his Belarusian language. No important issues were discussed during the session. Only general phrases were said. In half an hour the observer was told the session was over and that he had to leave. However, commission members did not leave. It remains a secret what they were doing behind closed doors when the observer was sent away.

31.07.2008 Hrodna: Political pressure on Viktar Sazonau grows hard

In Hrodna the authorities continue pressure on Viktar Sazonau, human rights defender and civic activist. Today, on July 31st, he was summoned to Leninski district police department of Hrodna. The police questioned him about the blast in Minsk on July 3rd.

31.07.2008 CEC does not accept Tatsiana Rysevets’ complaint for consideration

The district election commission considered Tatsiana Ryseviets’ application for registration of her initiative group on Sunday, 27th, the last day before the deadline. The commission failed to consider the application and make the decision on Saturday. By majority of votes the commission denied registration to Tatsiana Ryseviets, activist of the local movement against construction of a chemical plant in Druzhny.

30.07.2008 Slonim: CEC warns head of district election commission

On July 21st Slonim district election commission # 58 did not work during the whole day. Ivan Sheha, BPF member and the UDF candidate, had to complain to the Central Election Commission about that. Ivan Sheha points out:

“On July 21st, 2008 I came to Slonim election commission at 3.30 p.m. Under the election law, I was going to apply for registration of my initiative group.

I came to the building of the rayon administration, where the district election commission was located, and did not find any signs which would lead me to the commission’s room. I managed to find the office, but the doors were locked, although according to the work hours posted on the doors, the commission should have been working.