29 March 2024, Friday, 14:23
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Vitaly Rymasheuski: One must not participate in “elections”

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Vitaly Rymasheuski: One must not participate in “elections”

The only possible aim of attending “polling stations” by citizens of Belarus is to document failure of the “election.”

Such a statement was made by a co-chairman of the organizing committee for creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy Party Vitaly Rymasheuski.

- Yesterday Maryna Adamovich, the wife of Mikalai Statkevich, mouthed his address, in which, according to her, it was said that “participation of a part of the opposition makes boycott of the elections inefficient.” There was also an appeal to those who are going to visit polling stations, “to write their message in a ballot paper, to clearly show their antagonism against the policy of the government in place.” Is this position in accord with the opinion of the entire initiative group?

- I am a member of the initiative group of Mikalai Statkevich, as well as 500 more Christian Democrats together with me. We do not urge anyone to go to polling stations, and I do not think that this position is right.

People could be present at polling stations in only one capacity – as independent elections monitors. I accept participation in independent monitoring. Among other things, it is made to record the real turnout of voters at these “elections.” I remind that the minimum voter turnout should be not less than 50%, and I really doubt that so many people are going to participate in these “elections”.

To record absence of turnout means not only to record the failure of the “elections”, but once again to prove their illegitimacy. And I do not urge anyone to vote.

By joining the initiative group of Mikalai Statkevich, Belarusian Christian Democrats saw a concrete aim in that — release of political prisoners, informing people of the fact that there are political prisoners. And we shall continue to collect signatures for release of political prisoners, and demand Belarusian authorities to do so. This campaign is to be carried out regardless of the “elections” and it is to concern all political prisoners, including Mikalai Statkevich.

The aims and the sequence of actions in this issue are obvious. As for the “elections”, we believe that an important aspect of consolidation of the Belarusian society would be the control over voters’ turnout, but in no case taking part in the vote.

- And what is your personal attitude towards the “elections”?

- I am not going to take part in a ballot.

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