“Troublesome” questions to members of electoral committees prohibited

• 28.08.2008, 10:02

In Rechytsa an article about an official of the regional executive committee Ala Isachenka has been published before the agitation period. Observer Uladzimir Kashchenka asked who had nominated her. In response he was promised that a report on violation of his status of an observer would be drawn up against him.

The head of the financial department of the executive committee of Rechytsa district Ala Isachenka is nominated as a candidate for deputy in Rechytsa constituency. On August 16 and 23 the newspaper “Dnyaprovets” published 2 articles about her successful work. Articles were published before registration of candidates took place, and the period of agitation started. Founders of the newspaper are the regional executive committee and the regional Soviet of deputies. The newspaper hasn’t published anything about Leanid Nevar and Valery Putitski, who are nominated here as well, the campaign “Human rights activists for free elections”.

On august 18 an observer U. Kashchenka, a member of the United Civil Party, asked the district election commission what labour collective had nominated A. Isachenka. Members of the commission answered that in case he would ask “troublesome” questions, they will draw up a report on violation of an observer status by him, and issue an official warning.

Meanwhile, article 13 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus states that preparation and carrying out the elections is held “openly and publicly”. On august 21 a Rechytsa-based newspaper “Televid-info” wrote that A. Isachenka had been nominated by the labour collective of Rechytsa central hospital.