In Belarus professors “recommended” to politely force students to take part in compulsory early voting

In Minks universities preparation for early voting is underway.

For instance, conversations before the All-Belarusian People’s Congress have been carried out with professors of some faculties of the Belarusian State University. They are recommended to “ask their students politely” to come to lectures with passports. It is expected that passports would be needed for early voting. “Human Rights Activists for Free Election” have been informed about that by professors of the BSU on condition of anonymity for fear to lose their job.

As said by lecturers, among the first ones, “a briefing” on early voting was held in the Journalism institute of the BSU. Notably, professors were advised not to use open compulsion and intimidation, but persuade them politely to take part in the early voting, as “very clever children” are studying at the journalism faculty. Students of this faculty say that the early voting had not been mentioned by professors yet, everything is calm. But professors state that before December 14 they are to “explain” to their students the necessity of this action.

Information about preparation for the early voting has been also received from Minsk University of Culture. As said by one of its professors, since December 6 lists of students were ready, and voting could start secretly almost at the same moment as the “All-Belarusian Congress”. To the remark that early voting at this time coarsely violates the Electoral Code, the interlocutor said emotionally: “What laws do you mean?! Do you think we are living in a fairy-tale?”

Professors reminded about the cases of repressions against students who refused to take part in the early voting during the last election. Students from other cities are the easiest prey: after their refusal to take part in early voting, they were evicted from students’ hostels, allegedly as there are not enough places.

The Electoral Code of Belarus envisage beginning of the early voting not earlier than 5 days before the main Election Day, which is December 14 this year.