Elective Committees Confess Driving Out Observers from Precincts :: Charter'97 :: News

Gomel regional commission on presidential elections September 10 actually agreed that it inhibited the work of the observers, seeking to receive trustworthy information and highlight the electoral process. Deputy head of the commission Alexander Usov said that “observers exceeded their authority, demanding data on the election course and other information”. “The most zealous observers were driven by police out of the precinct’s site,” – said Alexander Usov.

Commenting on the situation with hindered access of “Civil Initiatives” observers to polling stations in seven districts of the Gomel region, Usov said that he personally phoned the districts and pleaded for independent observers. “As you see, we desired to resolve the problem, but the way the local commissions responded to our request is a different issue,” – said deputy commission chair. He underscored that the statement, received Sept. 9 at 4p.m. from the “Civil Initiatives” about denial of access to observers in Elsky district, had been urgently considered by the commission chair the same day, the response being mailed to the sender. According to BelaPAN, 8 “CI” observers had never been able to perform their activities in the Elsky constituency.

Meantime, Alexander Usov thanked the executive, which provided money and manpower to hold the ballot. This, according to Usov, “resulted in the beneficial outcome – reelection of Lukashenko.”