Candidate for deputy Dzmity Nyafyodau: “I withdraw from “elections” and stand for boycott

• 15.08.2008, 14:17

An independent candidate for deputy Dzmitry Nyafyodau has stated his intention not to take part in the “parliamentary elections” because of growing pressure on members of his initiative group.

Dzmitry Nyafyodau wanted to take part in the elections in Autazavodski district of Minsk, constituency No. 92.

“I stopped to collect signatures, as pressure was exerted on my initiative group. People were threatened to be dismissed from work. Considering crackdown on other democratic activists and members of their initiative groups, I see no use in participation in this campaign. These are not elections. When members of my initiative group were collecting signatures, people told that they are forced to leave signatures for pro-regime candidates at their factories, they are forced to become their initiative groups’ members. The CEC shuts its eyes to such violations. I withdraw for the “elections” and stand for boycott. Personal ambitions are nothing when compared to solidarity. Elections must be boycotted,” Dzmitry Nyafyodau said to the Chater’97 press-centre.