Independent monitoring group records violations during elections

February 27, Pozirk. The February 20-25 parliamentary and local elections in Belarus did not meet international standards for democratic and free elections, says a preliminary report by Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections.
The independent monitoring group set up by the Viasna Human Rights Center and the Belarusian Helsinki Committee recorded numerous violations of electoral legislation. Authorities controlled and managed all stages of the electoral campaign to hold on to power, imitate popular support and public concord, it noted.
Elections took place amid relentless reprisals and violations of basic human rights, in an atmosphere of total fear and in a purged political landscape. Election commissions were formed in a non-transparent way, while authorities compiled lists of candidates and forced Belarusians to vote early, intimidating them by banning taking pictures of their ballots or taking their ballots home, the report said.
Vote counting procedure was not transparent, while independent monitors were not allowed to observe elections, it added.
In contrast to past election cycles, all candidates were pro-government and did not compete with each other, the group noted. Only 160 out of 265 registered candidates opened accounts to collect donations for funding the campaign, while 105 ran without having any funds. Some candidates in the same constituency made joint speeches, which would be nonsense in a real contest, it said.
Austria slams Belarus' elections as unfair, Sweden backs Cichanoŭskaja
- PoliticsKGB brands nine people as terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyBody of presumed irregular migrant found in Lithuania near Belarus borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka reaffirms readiness to visit North KoreaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIrregular Belarus-EU crossings exceed 35,000 since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁatuška disappointed Moldova’s Sandu received credentials from Belarus' envoyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: student persecuted for signing up for female leadership programThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityCzechia expels Belarusian diplomat suspected of spyingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyRabbi from Belarus killed in Jerusalem attackThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka: losing Russia exports greatest problemThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, SocietyLabor ministry announces unlimited language test retakes for migrant workersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka names migration department headThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIljaš trial expert has failed to pinpoint specific false facts – journalistThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsBNR Rada honors Ukraine volunteers on Military Glory DayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyCichanoŭskaja calls for urgent action after regime critic’s death in prisonThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, Society
- SecurityDrone crashes in Poland near Belarus border crossingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyReal pay growth slows down for four consecutive monthsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyPolish police arrest suspected Belarusian gangster wanted in FranceThe material is available only to POZIRK+