Mass protests in Minsk: “election” is fraudulent (ONLINE report, photo, video)
- 28.09.2008, 19:12
Mass protest rallies against rigging of the election results with a demand to hold new fair election takes place in Minsk today.
The demonstrators gathered at October Square, then marched along Independence Avenue, and organise a meeting near the building of the Central Election Commission. The demonstration at October Square ends. Human rights activists recorded numerous facts of violations of election laws during the whole election campaign, early voting, and this day. Many candidates weren’t registered, candidates didn’t have equal conditions for agitation, people were made to vote early. Moreover, there are proofs of ballots boxes opening and ballot stuffing. Low rate of opposition parties representatives in election commissions – only 47 people out of 69.865 (o.07 per cent), demonstrates, according to the opposition, there will be no fair votes counting again.
The opposition says: the “parliamentary election” can’t be recognised legitimate, and urge the Belarusians to come to October Square of Minsk at 8.00 pm on September 28 with a demand of new free election.
10.20 pm
The demonstration ends at October Square, people begin to disperse. A press conference of the leaders of the opposition political parties is to be held in the office of the Belarusian Popular Front today, where new data of election commissions will be presented and opposition leaders will express their attitude towards the “parliamentary election”.
10.20 pm
Former political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin spoke at October Square. He said the “parliamentary election” was falsified, and deputies were appointed by the authorities. According to him, turnout in Minsk was less than 50 per cent, but the authorities “draw up” the official figure of the turnout. As Kazulin thinks, today the Belarusians should demand new democratic election.
10.10 p.m.
The protest rally continued on October Square. Participants of the rally stood on the stairs of the Palace of Republic. They are chanting: “Boycott to the false election!” “Boycott to the false deputies!”
10 p.m.
The column continues to move along the avenue. They have come near the National bank. The slogans “Belarus to Europe!”, “Election is a farce”, “Long live Belarus!” are heard.
9.52 pm
Former political prisoner Alyaksandr Kazulin has joined the demonstrators. He goes in front of the column with his grandson and daughter.
9.50 p.m.
The demonstration has continued by a march along Independence Avenue back to October Square. People are marching along the pavement chanting “Long live Belarus!”
9.40 p.m.
The demonstrators demanded new election. They noted that no democratic election campaigns had been held in the country under Lukashenka’s rule. Results of all elections were cheated. Zmitser Dashkevich, Young Front leader, with the help of a sound amplifier has read a prayer for free and independent Belarus. Words of the prayer were repeated by all participants of the protest rally near the Central Election Commission.
9.35 pm
A meeting is carried on near the CEC building, opposition leaders are speaking to the mob. Leader of the European Coalition said the election campaign was a farce. It is clear today that the election is fraudulent.
9.20 pm
Some thousands of protesters reached the building of the Central Election Commission at Independence Square. The people shout “New Election!”, “No to Election Farce!”
9.15 pm
The number of demonstrators is growing fast. There are at least 3000 people in the column. The people occupy the two sides of the avenue, the right side is especially crowded. The head of the column is coming to Minsk hotel, its end is at the KGB building.
9.10 p.m.
Protesters have obeyed the demands of the traffic police. They left the traffic area. They were standing on the stairs of the KGB (State Security Committee), and then continued to move along the pavement.
9.05 pm
Demonstrators occupied a half of traffic way of Independence Avenue. They carry white-red-white and European flags in hands. Traffic militia cars drive along the column, calling on the demonstrators to leave the traffic road.
9.02 p.m.
The column has marched to the traffic area of Independence Avenue. People are marching near the Central department Store. They are chanting “We believe! We can! We shall achieve!” They are holding a streamer: “We are for election but against the electoral farce!”
9.00 pm
Demonstrators are moving to Independence Square now. The number of protesters is about 2000 people. Torches are burning in front lines of the column. People shout “Long Live Belarus!”, “We are for Free Election!”, “Down with Election Farce!”
8.40 p.m.
Alyaksandr Kazulin, who has come to the Square toady, has stated that the Belarusians are protesting against the electoral farce and cynicism of the regime that has carried out another not free and undemocratic “election”. As said by Kazulin, the international community by no means should recognize the “chamber of representatives” a legitimate body.
8.33 pm
Young activists have put up two tents urging to protest against rigging election results.
8.30 pm
As the Charter’97 press center has just learnt, an opposition activist, who insisted on his presence during the votes counting, was forced out of a polling station in the Minsk State Linguistic University.
8.20 pm
There are about 1500 persons on the square now. There are opposition leaders among them – Alyaksandr Kazulin, Mikalay Statkevich, Alyaksandr Milinkevich, Zmitser Bandarenka, Vintsuk Vyachorka, Viktar Ivashkevich and others.
8.15 pm
Demonstrators unfurled banners “Boycott to Dictatorship!”, “Lukashenka is last Dictator in Europe”, “We want New Election!”, “Stop Luka!”, “No to Election Farce”, “We are for Election but against Election Farce”, “Together for Democracy” along the traffic way.
8.10 pm
People are still gathering at the square. There are about 1000 people at the square now. The participants of the rally unfurled European flags. Slogans No to Farce”, “Dictatorship – to Dump, Dismissal for Dictator”.
8.05 pm
Opposition activists have been arrested ahead of the rally. It is known that 5 activists of the civil campaign “European Belarus”, who were going to come to the square, have been arrested.
8.00 pm
A huge white-red-white national flag and other white-red-white banners were unfurled at the square. People shout “Long Live Belarus!” The number of people is growing.
7.55 pm
People are gathering at October Square of Minsk. The situation is quiet now. Observers of the ODIHR/OSCE mission, including head of the OSCE office ion Minsk, are present at the square.