Democratic parties leaders: As before, there are no elections in Belarus

Elections institute in Belaus is in total crisis, state leaders of democratic parties and movements in Belarus.

"As before, there are no elections in Belarus. And consequently there are no grounds for recognising of the current election campaign as meeting the standards of free and just election," such a statement has been made by the leaders of democratic parties and movements of Belarus, BelaPAN informs.

"The results which would be announced summing up te results of the election on April 25, 2010 cannot be considered a reflection of the will of Belarusian voters," the joint statement reads.

Its authors note that the democratic parties and public associations initially actively got into gear of the electoral process, having nominated thousands of its representatives to electoral commissions. However, no more than 200 representatives of the opposition have been put on the commissions, which makes 0.3% of the total number of election commissions members.

Besides, at the stage of preparation to nomination of candidates for deputies opposition structures have created lists of 2.500 potential contenders.

"However instead of the promised liberalisation, the authorities continued to use the practice of intimidation of democratic activists, members of their teams, as well as citizens who had given their signatures in favour of nomination of oppositional candidates," the document reads. "In the result of the unprecedented pressure, which was carried out by management of entreprises, organisations, educational institutions, by workers of local executive committees, law-enforcing agencies, tax, control and financial agencies, only 700 activists had courage to continue participation in the election campaign".

One third of activists was eleminated during registration. And finally less than 500 activists continue to take part in the elections, or about 2% of the total number of registered candidates, the statement notes.

Thus, the representatives of the opposition make a conclusion that "the current election campaign in fact does not differ from previous ones, which had been recognized not free and not fair by the international community". "The institution of elections in Belarus is in a total crisis. The consequence of complete degradation of the election system has become as a matter of fact an appointment of deputies," the statement reads.

В целях выхода из сложившейся ситуации представители оппозиции в очередной раз предлагают власти приступить к обсуждению предложений об изменении избирательного законодательства и правоприменительной практики.

In order to find a way out of the situation which has been shaped, opposition representatives once again offer the authorities to start discussing the offers on amendment of the electoral legislation and law enforcement practice.

The statement has been signed by 13 parties and public associations, including the Belarusian Green party, the Belarusian party of women "Nadzeja", the Belarusian Leftist party "A Just World", the Belarusian Social Democratic Hramada, the Belarusain Popular Front Party, the United Civil Party, "For Freedom" movement, as well as the organising committee for creation of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Narodnaya Hramada), the Movement for Free Development of Entreprise, the Belarusian Christian Democracy, the Freedom and Progress Party, the Workers Party.