Stanislau Bahdankevich: “My final decision is to withdraw from “election””

• 1.09.2008, 10:33

Honorary chairman of the United Civil Party, former head of the National Bank Stanislau Bahdankevich told in an interview to the Charter’97 press center he was going to withdraw from the “parliamentary election”.

“I said at the session of the Political Council of the opposition parties yesterday that the oncoming “parliamentary election” couldn’t be considered to be fair and honest. There are many supports of democracy in Belarus, but we can address the people via TV and radio 5 minutes per four years. The rest of the time we are thrown with mud, the debates are not held. Who can say the people have a choice? 0.07 per cent of democrats are included into election commissions. Such famous in Belarus people as Zinaida Bandarenka, Paval Kazlouski, Anatol Paulau and Vasil Shlyndzikau weren’t included into polling station commissions in my Chkalauski district. How can Lukashenka say after this that “the election will be held fairly”? I suppose, the authorities just say but don’t do. I know now that I will withdraw from elections,” Stanislau Bahdankevich said.

According to Bahdankevich, before he withdraws, he is going to use a rare opportunity of speaking on state-run media to say the Belarusian people have no choice today.

“Stalin said it’s not important who votes, it is important who count the votes. I give some examples who will count votes in polling station commission, where the prominent people of the country weren’t allowed to. I will tell that the Poles chose democracy and their average salary today is 1300 dollars, while the Belarusians “choose” dictatorship and have average salary of 350-400 dollars a month. Foreign debts of the country have doubled from 6 to 12 billion dollars. A half of enterprises in the country is low-gain, unprofitable,” the former chairman of the National Bank said.

According to Stanislau Bahdankevich, if conditions of holding of the “election” are not changed, “the opposition must withdraw”. “I have a final decision to this question. Yesterday, most people at the session of the Political Council decided to give one more chance to the authorities, in order they include people who can prevent rigging in the election commissions. However, I doubt it will happen. Are there any hints we have elements of democracy?” the politician said.

It should be reminded that on August 31, the Political Council of the opposition parties delayed the decision on running or non-running in the oncoming “parliamentary election”. This question is to be considered on September 21, the parties will hold the “election campaign” till that date.