Syarhei Kalyakin: “Forming of district electoral commissions was non- transparent”

• 15.07.2008, 13:11

The leader of the party of Communists of Belarus Syarhei Kalyakin believes that sessions of regional executive committees where district electoral commissions have been composed, were non- transparent.

In the beginning of the election campaign Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated that free election should be held, with pressure on opposition, with equal conditions, without promotion of pro-regime candidates. But these statements have remained empty declarations, Syarhei Kalyakin is convinced.

“There must be some actions after such statements. But the situation in the country is contrary to the statements. People, who want to become deputies, are persecuted. Without due causes 16 persons have been detained in connection with the explosion. Among them are activists of political parties, heads of election headquarters of democratic candidates,” the politician said in an interview to Radio Svaboda.

Yesterday’s sessions of regional executive committees where district electoral commissions were formed, were held in a non-transparent way. Not all executive committees have allowed opposition representatives to be present at these sessions. Which is notable, the authorities haven’t explained reasons why such decisions have been taken.

“They were just reading out a list previously made up by somebody, and said that these people are included into the commissions. Why some of them are included, and some not, and who had submitted applications to become members of the commissions, is not known at all,” Kalyakin says.

As far as Kalyakin knows, out of 110 candidates for district electoral commissions nominated by the United Democratic Forces, only 30 persons have become members of the commissions. It is a violation of the equality principle declared by the regime in the constituencies where there are no opposition representatives in the commissions.