Minsk city executive committee adopted sensational decision

The number of places where agitation for presidential candidates is allowed has been considerably expanded.

On November 19 Minsk city executive committee adopted a resolution #2758.

According to this resolution, presidential candidates and their agents can hold mass events in any places which are suitable for that.

However, the list of places where agitation is prohibited, is attached: it includes territories of metro stations, pedestrian underpasses, bridges and overpass bridges, traffic area of auto roads; the territory of October Square, Independence Square, Victory Square, Yakub Kolas Square; the territories situated less than 200 metres from the buildings of the presidential residence, “the national assembly”, the Council of Ministers, TV and Radio Centre; the places situated less than 50 metres from buildings of republican bodies of state administration, hospitals, children’s policlinics, preschool institutions, secondary education institutions; territories of nuclear facilities and nuclear material storage sites.

This resolution has been commented for charter97.org website by Uladzimir Kobets, the electioneering agent of Andrei Sannikov, the presidential candidate:

“Minsk city executive committee has allowed candidates for presidency to carry out agitation almost everywhere in the places collection of signatures had been held. Earlier we knew where it is “allowed” to agitate, and it was “prohibited” almost everywhere. Now it is allowed everywhere except for the above-mentioned places. The possibilities for campaigning have increased considerably. But undoubtedly, we cannot speak about a real free election campaign, as the list of limitations is still long. It is getting dark in the streets early, and metro and pedestrian underpasses could be wonderful places for campaigning. But they are among the prohibited places. However, we have already submitted an application to Minsk city executive committee for holding meetings with voters in different places. Today Andrei Sannikov meets with voters on Expobel market in Minsk,” Uladzimir Kobets said.

One of the leaders of the campaign headquarters of Andrei Sannikov, Zmitser Bandarenka, notes:

“At the moment, the Central Election Commission hinders publishing campaign materials of Andrei Sannikov. It is clear that it is done on purpose. But Article 45 of the Electoral Code exists. All citizens of Belarus, who want their candidate to win, should use it. According to it, “citizens of Belarus are given the right of free and full consideration of on election platforms of candidates for presidency in Belarus, their political, business and personal qualities; of agitating for candidates at meetings, rallies, in mass media, and during meetings with voters.”

So there are enough opportunities for agitation. All of us should join in actively, not counting on agents only; people should become volunteers, take part in pickets and disseminate information about the candidate in all possible ways.

Print out materials from the web, make leaflets yourself, toss them in postboxes, hand out in the streets – you have a perfect freedom for doing so!” Zmitser Bandarenka said.