Official newspapers refuse to print speeches of UCP speakers

• 31.08.2012, 15:33

Candidate for deputy from the United Civil Party, Aliaxandar Sheutsou was denied publishing his message to voters in the newspaper "Pridniaprouskaja Niva".

Despite the fact that words "boycott" and "Lukashenka," were removed from the speech and the text of it has been made “less aggressive”, editor in chief Sviatlana Dziadushko categorically stated: "This is not a speech!".

Soon came a written response, in which Sviatlana Dziadushko said that the candidate for deputy was refused in publication of the message because it does not meet the requirements of Part 1 of Art. 47 and Part 1 of Article 75 of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus, informs the website of UCP.

According to deputy chairman of the United Civil Party, lawyer Antanina Kavaleva, these pretensions are flimsy.

"Both mentioned articles of the IR indicate that the performance of the candidate and his program should not contain propaganda of war; calls for violent overthrow of the constitutional order; violation of territorial integrity of the Republic of Belarus; social, national, religious, and racial hatred; insults and slander against officials and other candidates – say Antanina Kavaleva. – Performances and programs of our candidates are free of something like this. They only call for fair elections.

I want to say to those who impede candidates in their legal right to campaign: Gentlemen, start to perform your duties. Try to find a position in the law on liability for violation of the electoral code, which is there for sure and relate to you personally. If you continue to persist in your illegal activities, you will have to suffer a fair punishment".