20.10.2010 Pinsk students’ hostels closed for campaign activists

According to Vital Karatysh, member of Ales Mikhalevich’s campaign team, he was not let into the hostel of Palessie State University due to ‘inner regulations.’

Similarly, pro-dem campaigners were not let into the students’ hostel of Pinsk Medical College.

20.10.2010 Chair of Homel regional election commission comments on canvassing violations

In an interview with the ‘Sovetski Rayon’ state-run newspaper, Chair of Homel regional election commission Aliaksandr Usau commented on a number of case when local observers reported violations during canvassing activities.

20.10.2010 Malecha state officials use administrative resources to campaign for Lukashenka

The state officials of the town of Malecha, Biaroza district, have reportedly been using administrative resources to force the staff of local governmental bodies to sign for the current President.

20.10.2010 Minsk school teachers forced to campaign for Lukashenka

The administration of Minsk school #1 has reportedly ordered each of the school teachers to collect 16 signatures for the current President.

19.10.2010 Proposals by Baranavichy HR activists to be considered in future, says CEC

On 19 October, Baranavichy human rights defenders Siarhei Housha and Karnei Piatrovich received a reply from the Central Electoral Commission to their earlier statement on alleged violation of the Electoral Code.

19.10.2010 Pro-dem campaign activist detained in Vitsebsk

Ales Halavan, member of Ales Mikhalevich’s, Vital Rymasheuski’s and Ryhor Kastusio’s campaign teams, was detained by Vitsebsk police on 18 October, on suspicion of a criminal crime. He was later taken to Vitsebsk Pershamaiski police department. The police seized the signature sheets and other campaign equipment.

19.10.2010 Drybin executive authorities campaign for Lukashenka

The official web-site of Drybin district executive committee has published an appeal to the district residents, emphasizing the achievements of the current power. It also calls on the voters to cast their ballots for ‘stability and wellbeing of society.’

18.10.2010 Canvassing for Lukashenka maintained by unauthorized persons

Pinsk human rights defenders report a number of cases when canvassing activities for Aliaksandr Lukashenka have been carried out by unauthorized persons.

18.10.2010 Barysau observer submits recommendations to CEC

Barysau human rights activist Aleh Matskevich, registered as an observer at local election committee, has addressed the Central Election Commission with a set of proposals on improving the vote count procedures.

18.10.2010 ‘My brother has been kidnapped’, says Presidential hopeful Pravalski

Vitsebsk businessman Uladzimir Pravalski, running for President, has lodged a statement with local police, claiming that his brother and campaign activist Yury Pravalski was kidnapped, after he was arrested by the police on 15 October.

18.10.2010 Ramanchuk’s campaign activist beaten by drunken bully

Andrei Liadouski, activist of Yaraslau Ramanchuk’s campaign team, has been beaten by a drunk bully, as he was canvassing for signatures in a block of flats in Minsk.

The activist was attacked by an unknown elderly person, after the landlord put his signature for the presidential hopeful Yaraslau Ramanchuk. Andrei Liadouski received a number of blows at his head.

18.10.2010 Baranavichy businessman indignant at biased reply from CEC

On 16 October, Baranavichy entrepreneur Mikalai Charnavus received a reply from the Central Election Commission secretary Lazavik, following the businessman’s appeal against illegal dispersal of a canvassing picket of Ryhor Kastusiou’s and Yaraslau Ramanchuk’s campaign activists back on 2 October.

18.10.2010 Slonim state officials forced to sign for Lukashenka

The staff of Slonim children’s polyclinic have been forced to sign for President Lukashenka, says one of the clinic’s employees. Similarly, the personnel of local military brigade have been reportedly pressed to give their signatures for the current head of state.

18.10.2010 Canvassing in hostels illegal, says Salihorsk election committee

Salihorsk education dormitories have been declared unavailable for canvassing activities, after the district election committee took the side of local education officials, who have repeatedly denied access to hostels to campaign teams of pro-democratic candidates, referring to internal regulations.

18.10.2010 Election of the President of Belarus: Weekly Analytical Review (October 11-17)

The CEC has demonstrated unequal treatment of different initiative groups, issuing a warning to the initiative group of U. Nyaklyaeu for violating electoral legislation while complaints against the initiative group of A. Lukashenka are being re-directed to lower level commissions.