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Opposition activist comments on results of formation of election commissions for local elections

The results of the formation of the territorial and district election commissions undermine confidence in the outcome of the forthcoming elections for local soviets, Ihar Lyalkow, a coordinator of an election observation campaign called “Right of Choice” who is deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front, told reporters in Minsk on Monday.

The campaign involves the Belarusian Popular Front, the Movement for Freedom, the “Tell the Truth!” movement, the Hramada Belarusian Social Democratic Party, Belarusian Christian Democracy, the Belarusian Party of the Greens, and the Party of Freedom and Progress.

Even at the stage of the formation of election commissions, it is clear that the elections are going according to the usual scenario, Mr. Lyalkow said.

A majority of people nominated by pro-government organizations were granted membership in territorial and district election commissions, while a majority of nominees of opposition parties and NGOs were not included in election commissions, he said.

Although opposition parties and NGO nominated roughly the same numbers of people for membership in territorial and district election commissions for this year’s and the previous, 2010 local elections, the numbers of granted applications for membership in territorial and district election commissions decreased three and 6.5 times, respectively, Mr. Lyalkow said.

Representatives of the campaign call on the central election commission to issue a directive that would specify the criteria for inclusion in precinct election commissions and guarantee membership to all nominees of political parties that seek to run candidates in the local elections. //BelaPAN