Christian democrats call to boycott “election” in response to repressions

• 8.09.2008, 15:35

On September 8, Dzyanis Sadouski, an executive secretary of the organising committee on creation Belarusian Christian Democracy NGO, said BCD MP candidates would call on people not to go to polling stations in the response to repressions.

According to him, four members of the BCD organising committee have lost jobs or have been expelled from educational establishments for the last ten days due to running in the “election”.

“The youngest participant of the “election” – Tatsyana Shambolava – was expelled from Mahilou State University. Mikalai Dzemidzenka was expelled from Polatsk University. They were going to become MP candidates and represent the BCD organising committee in the List of United Democratic Forces. Kanstantin Zhukouski was registered as an MP candidate in Homel, and lost his job. The same happened to Ales Sivakou, head of the election team of K. Zhukouski,” D. Sadouski.

He also said member of the BCD organising committee Alena Daineka in Haradok and Mikalai Zhukouski in Mozyr may be fired, too, soon. “They are being pressed now to make them give up their activity in initiative teams of MP candidates,” D. Sadouski said.

As the activist said, under such circumstances registered MP candidates, who are members of the BCD organising committee, “have no moral right to call on the electorate to vote”. “They go on their campaigns. But they will inform people about facts of pressure over their friends and call not to vote and participate in this election,” D. Sadouski said.

The executive secretary of the BCD organising committee confirmed the decision that before September 23 (when the early voting starts) all BCD organising committee MP candidates would stop their running in the “election” and withdraw their candidatures.