Traces Of Fire And Signatures Of The Commission: 2020 Ballots Shown In Warsaw
15- 7.01.2026, 18:28
- 19,500
The Lukashists tried to destroy them right after the election.
The collection of the Museum of Free Belarus in Warsaw was enriched with unique artifacts in January 2026. Former political prisoner Polina Sharendo-Panasiuk gave the institution the original ballots from the 2020 presidential election, which were rescued from the fire.
The history of these documents is dramatic. According to the museum, the authorities tried to destroy them in one of Brest's boiler rooms on August 10-11, 2020, immediately after the election, in order to hide traces of falsifications. However, local activists managed to literally pull the papers out of the fire and later handed them over to Polina Sharendo-Panasiuk. This is written by "Radio Svaboda".
The whole time, while the activist was in detention, the ballots were safely hidden in Belarus. Recall, Polina spent several years behind bars - she was twice added to her sentence under the article for "malicious disobedience to the administration of the colony. Only after her release in February 2025 and urgent evacuation of her family abroad it became possible to take out this evidence.
Now 20 bulletins have become new exhibits of the museum. On them clearly visible traces of fire, as well as signatures of members of election commissions, which testifies to the authenticity of the documents. The museum emphasizes that the rescued sheets are not only an object of collective memory, but also direct evidence of the regime's crimes, which can be used in future courts.
The Museum of Free Belarus, founded in Warsaw in 2022, specializes in such evidence of the era. It already holds more than 400 exhibits that reflect the struggle of Belarusians, from prison robes and letters from political prisoners (including Viktor Babariko and the tortured Ales Pushkin) to the belongings of fighters of the Kalinowski Regiment. The transfer of the ballots was another contribution to preserving the truth about the events of 2020.
Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims
You can contact us by the e-mail charter97@gmail.com
