BHC representative not allowed to observe formation of district election commission in Baranavičy
Today, a joint meeting of the Presidium of the Baranavičy District Council of Deputies and the District Executive Committee was held to form the regional territorial election commission. However, Siarhei Housha, a representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee, was not allowed to attend the meeting.
“I told the district leadership that the law of the Republic of Belarus "On local government and self-government" allows representatives of political parties, public organizations and even ordinary citizens to attend the meetings of the executive and administrative authorities. According to Art. 3 of the Act, local government is carried out, among other things, on the principle of transparency, therefore I asked to allow me to attend the meeting,” said Siarhei Housha.
However, according to the human rights activist, he was asked to leave the premises, referring to the fact that Art. 34 of the Electoral Code does not allow civil society representatives to be present at the meetings convened to form territorial election commissions, if they have not nominated their representatives to the election commission.
According to the human rights activist, he registered his nomination from the BHC with the executive committee back on 15 July, and in his letter there was a reference to the Law "On local government and self-government", which allows him to attend meetings of the executive and administrative authorities.
Siarhei Housha does not agree with the decision of the district authorities and intends to challenge it.
"Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections"