Hostels waiting for an order from "above"

• 19.04.2010, 10:51

Before each "elections" people who live in Babrujsk hostels are summoned by authorities and told for whom they shoudl vote.

In the district of Babrujsk called "Damanski" almost all hostels belong to "Belshyna" entreprise. This district is a part of the constituency where a member of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Vyachaslau Sheleg runs for deputy of the regional council of deputies. During meetings with dwellers of hostels he found out whom they usually support in the elections.

- Hostels dwellers are absolutely apathetic to elections. They are usually summoned by Resident Director and are told for whom they should vote, and they do so. People were speaking about that as if were a usual practice, and they are used to it. So they have no desire to meet with some candidates for deputies. They will be told what to do, and they will do everything," Vyachaslau Sheleg told to te website of "Human rights activists for free elections" campaign.

Besides, Vyachaslau Sheleg noted that Babrujsk dwellers have no desire to participate in the election.

- It is written in state-run newspapers now that turnout would be 80%. Despite of the fact that thrashold of voters turn-out has been lifted at all, they declare that, and what for? It sounds as an order to members of commissions for them to guarantee necessary figures. Proceeding from the work which had been done during the election campaign, I know for sure that too few people would come to vote. Babrujsk dwellers are saying all the time that they do not need this election. And if "80% of turn-out" would be finally announced, it would be possible to say for sure that there were falsifications," Vyachaslau Sheleg said.