BPF activists collecting signatures in support of Tatstsiana Karatkevich in Minsk have witnessed violations of the electoral legislation by the Lukashenka’s nominating group.
Representatives of the Belarusian Popular Front have appealed to the Central Electoral Commission with the complaint, demanding a warning issued to the incumbent president’s nominating group.
At the Tsentralny supermarket in Minsk, where the pickets of many candidates are collecting signatures, the nominating group of Lukashenka consisting of the members of the pro-government Communist Party of Belarus distributed publications in favor of their nominee.
At the stage of collecting signatures, legislation prohibits the distribution of any propaganda materials.
Witnesses of the violations complained to the Central Election Commission, attaching photos of distribution of newspapers ‘Kamunist Belarusi. My i Chas’ which were distributed during a rally of the communist supporters of Lukashenka. Also attached was a copy of the newspaper in which the first page featured photos of Lukashenka and other materials of the electoral nature, internet page of the BPF Party reports.
Among the articles there is a sharply critical one about Right of Choice election observation campaign, which contains offensive and defamatory information about the campaign supported by the Party of the Belarusian Popular Front.
This printed material was distributed by the members of the Lukashenka’s nominating group among the people who signed up for the nomination of their candidate (after they put a signature).
Also, this printed matter was handed over to participants of the picket and other citizens who were close to the picket, distributing of the newspaper was accompanied with appeals to sign for the nomination of the presidential candidate at this picket.
The authors of the complaint note that the actions of the protester and supporters of Lukashenka have broken part 10 of Article 61 of the Election Code, which prohibits any reward for voters’ signatures.
According to the Electoral Code of the Republic of Belarus, material assistance in preparing and holding of the elections can be delivered only through the contribution of funds into the nonbudget fund and electoral funds of the candidates.
Based on the above complaints of violations, the authors suggest that the Central Commission issue a warning to the nominating group of Lukashenka.
narodny.org, belsat.eu/en/
