Parties ready for protests in case of rigging election results
1- 11.08.2008, 10:14
The United Civil Party is set to sue the constitutional right for peaceful protest in case voting results at the “parliamentary election” would be rigged.
It is asserted in the statement adopted on August 10 by delegates of the 12th extraordinary session of the United Civil Party.
It is emphasized in the statement that the “parliamentary elections” campaign is held in Belarus against the background of “unstoppable repressions and pressure on democratic parties and public initiatives”. And candidates from “Lukashenka’s list” use administrative leverage to collect signatures and organise meetings with voters.
The UCP has noted that participation of its candidates in the electoral campaign directly depends on by execution the authorities “minimal conditions” laid down by the United Democratic Forces. The party is ready to admit results of the “electora; campaign” only in the case when its representatives would be allowed to take part in votes count.
If the elections would take part with violations, the UCP “preserves right to use the constitutional right for peaceful protest against rigged election results and attempts to appoint 110 deputies of the “chamber of representatives” again”.
The leader of the party Anatol Lyabedzka noted at the congress that the UCP was created as a party of parliamentary type. “We were very effective in the Supreme Court of the 13th convocation,” he underlined. “The whole pack of economic draft laws was initiated and prepared by members of the faction “Civil Action”. But for more than 12 years we are in “trenches”. It is a very expensive for Belarus. The country without healthy competition degrades. But for the parliament to appear in Belarus, people should be returned the right to elect deputies, no matter what political views they have”.
As for prospects of recognition of the “chamber of representatives’” legitimacy, Anatol Lyabedzka said that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe de jure recognized the “chamber” in 2000.
“Lukashenka’s representatives are full-fledged members of this organisation for 8 years,” The UCP leader said. “But the current political regime hasn’t been recognized as legitimate. And now the attempt to carry out that through commercialization of Europe’s strategy towards Belarus is made. But to trade principles and values is unacceptable for us”.
