Persistence of discriminatory approaches in the formation of territorial election commissions
Observation of the presidential election is carried out by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. SUMMARY territorial election commissions (hereinafter TECs) are one of the key instruments in the administration of elections in accordance with the international principles of free […]
Report on the registration of nomination groups
The CEC has registered 15 groups formed to support the nominations of future presidential candidates. However, it came under attack after it turned down 40 applications, mostly by opposition activists associated with former political prisoner Mikalai Statkevich. Well-known blogger Siarhei Tsikhanouski, was arrested and thus deprived of the opportunity to apply for the registration of […]
Guidance on Election Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Image source: gndem.org The COVID-19 pandemic poses severe technical, political, and social threats to elections. In many countries, the effects of the virus will strain citizen relationships with government and elected officials, intensify political tensions and the potential for violence, disenfranchise voters, and increase conditions for democratic backsliding. Each of these challenges may subvert […]
CEC turns down opposition groups’ applications and hinders opposition candidates from running for the Presidency
Opposition activists protest against CEC’s decision to disqualify their nomination groups. May 15, 2020. Image source: Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections The Central Election Commission has registered 15 groups formed to support the nominations of future presidential candidates. These include the incumbent Aliaksandr Lukashenka, former Belgazprombank CEO Viktar Babaryka, ex-MP Hanna Kanapatskaya, BSDH party leader Siarhei Cherachen, […]
Election Code changes: Need to prioritize amendments on local elections and have parliamentary expert dialogue
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) Committee on Organization of State Government, Regional Development, Local Self-Government and Urban Planning has returned to the improvement of the Election Code before 2020 regular local elections. On May 12, the Subcommittee on Elections and Referendums held an online discussion of critical changes to the Election Code, drafted by MPs. […]
Weekly report: Human rights situation deteriorating ahed of election
The Presidential election is scheduled for August 9 in Belarus and so far, authorities have ignored proposals to amend electoral procedures to minimize risks relating to COVID-19. Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections found that basic civil and political freedoms are hampered by significant legislative restrictions and report that the general human rights situation has […]
Weekly report: Human rights situation deteriorating ahead of election
Observation of the presidential election is carried out by the Belarusian Helsinki Committee and the Human Rights Center “Viasna” in the framework of the campaign “Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”. SUMMARY – the 2020 presidential election in Belarus was announced against the background of an adverse geopolitical situation in the region, and in the conditions […]
Timeline of the election chaos
Image source: notesfrompoland.com The Political Accountability Foundation released a timeline of events leading up to the non-election on 10 May in Poland. Due to last minute amendments introduced to the electoral legal framework, voters were deprived of their right to cast a vote in the presidential election on the date indicated in accordance with […]
Viasna calls for the immediate release of its arrested members
Riot police detain Siarhey Tsikhanouski, a blogger who announced his candidacy to the Presidency, in Homiel. Photo: Siarhey Lyapinv, Source:belsat.eu Statement of the Board of the Human Rights Center “Viasna” Minsk – May 12, 2020 Over the past few weeks, there have been several cases of persecution and judicial harassment of members of our […]
Fake accounts of Russian news outlet involved in supporting state agencies
On May 1, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) published its report on organized information operations by Kremlist news agency News-Front in the Georgian Facebook space. Facebook removed the global inauthentic network of News-Front from its platform on April 30. Along with the official News-Front Facebook page in Georgia, profiles of 12 inauthentic accounts […]