29.10.2010 Presidential hopefuls speak on human rights issues

The ‘Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections’ campaign activists have interviewed a number of Presidential hopefuls, inquiring about their views on human rights protection in Belarus and the possibility of introducing the post of ombudsman, in case they are elected President.

28.10.2010 Brest canvasser appeals obstacles by local authorities

Tatsiana Tkharova, activist of Vital Rymasheuski’s campaign team, has lodged a complaint with Brest Leninskaya election commission, claiming that she was not allowed to canvass for signatures in a hostel of Brest Household Chemicals Factory.

28.10.2010 Barysau HR activists want to observe signature verification

Barysau observers Maryna Statkevich and Aleh Matskevich submitted an application to Minsk regional election commission, demanding to allow them observe signature verification procedures, after local election commission denied them the right.

27.10.2010 Employer fires member of Sannikau’s campaign team

Iryna Piatrova, former employee of Minsk Zoo and activist of Andrei Sannikau’s campaign team, has been reportedly forced to hand in a notice of resignation after she had been threatened with dismissals for alleged absence from work.

27.10.2010 Mahiliou regional election commission staff write in pencil in election papers

According to Tatsiana Shambalava, member of Andrei Sannikau’s campaign team, some of the columns in the register of Mahiliou regional election commission are filled in pencil. The activist believes this may be ground for election rigging.

27.10.2010 Baranavichy observer applies for participation in signature verification procedures

On 26 October, Baranavichy observer Siarhei Housha submitted an application to local election commission, demanding to provide him with an opportunity of involvement in signature verification procedures. The observer requests to inform him about scheduled events beforehand.

27.10.2010 Mahiliou authorities view observation as interference with election commission’s work

According to Mahiliou observer Barys Bukhel, who tried to attend the meetings of the city’s Kastrychnitskaya election commission on 11 and 15 October, his visits were considered as interference with the commission’s activities by its chair, as can be seen from an official reply, received by the observer.

27.10.2010 Observation ban in Barysau

Barysau observers Maryna Statkevich and Aleh Matskevich recived a reply from the town election commission, claiming that ‘Article 13 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus does not provide for an opportunity of observing the procedures of verification of voters’ signatures in the signature sheets, submitted by members of campaign teams.

27.10.2010 Babruisk law enforcement and emergency departments personnel prohibited to sign for opposition Presidential hopefuls

According to Siarzhuk Latsinski, Babruisk activist of Ryhor Kastusiou’s campaign team, the staff of local police and emergency departments were warned against signing for alternative candidates in the forthcoming presidential election.

27.10.2010 Vitsebsk police fail to find criminal who beat activist Liadouski

According to Vitsebsk Pershamaiski department of internal affairs, the city police have been unable to find the offender who beat up activist Andrei Liadouski during canvassing for signatures in one of Vitsebsk blocks of flats back on 17 October.

26.10.2010 Administrative pressure in Hrodna district

On 20 October, Kanstantsin Dzmitryieu, resident of the town of Aziory, Hrodna district, lodged a complaint with the Central Election Commission against actions by the administration of a local farming company, who allegedly forced the staff to give their signatures for President Lukashenka.

26.10.2010 Homel HR activists report canvassing for Lukashenka in working hours

The administration of a Homel-based Vipra company have been canvassing for signatures during their working hours, say local human rights defenders.

According to local human rights activist Anatol Paplauny, an activist of Lukashenka’s campaign team Ms. Viktotya Siomina was collecting signatures at the enterprise in her working hours, which is prohibited by the current election legislation.

26.10.2010 CEC abuses power, says HR defender Harry Pahaniayla

Minsk Maskouski Court considered a claim by a Belarusian Helsinki Committee lawyer Harry Pahaniayla, who earlier lodged a complaint against Decision #49 by the Central Election Commission, which considerably restricted opportunities to delegate representatives of political parties and NGOs to election commissions.

26.10.2010 Meetings of Zhodzina town election commission should be public, says local observer

Aliaksei Lapitski, observer at Zhodzina town election commission, addressed the commission with a statement, calling the officials to inform him on the time of meetings, after the commission members repeatedly failed to invite him to its meetings, including the recent one where the issues of constituency formation was considered.

26.10.2010 Lukashenka’s campaign team deserves a warning, says member of Minsk City Election Commission

Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s initiative group should receive a warning by the Central Election Commission, says member of Minsk city election commission Halina Siamdzianava, who took part in the consideration of a complaint by activists Mikita Krasnou and Viachaslau Dziyanau against violations of canvassing procedures by Aliaksandr Luakshenka’s campaign activists.