Leonid Svetik wanted to get to the first meeting of the election commission of the Oktyabrsky district of Viciebsk. But the deputy chairman of the Viciebsk City Council Peter Podgurskiy said that his presence is "undesirable".

Vitsebsk human rights activist Leanid Svetik said that he did not have time to show the direction of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee - only orally presented "Peter Podgurskiy immediately said that it was in this meeting, which is elected chairman of the commission, and in general management team, I accept "inappropriate". Then I said that I would like to present just as an ordinary voter, a resident of the Oktyabrsky district, a citizen of the Republic of Belarus. Then it was suggested that members of the commission voted, whether they agree that I attended. Mr. Podgurskiy announced that everyone "should think" before the vote. And after a few minutes, all 12 members of the committee - another committee member did not attend because he was on a business trip, "no" votes."

According to Leonid Svetik, before leaving he was asked to come back tomorrow, to join as an observer, and then we come to the next meeting of the commission. "Why I could not attend today, I did not understand. But the refusal indicates how openly starts in Viciebsk campaign. The fact that I was not allowed to attend a meeting of the district election commission, I have already sent a complaint to the CEC," - said human rights activist.

On the eve of July 21, Leonid Svetsik was denied also be present on the process of formation of district commissions in Viciebsk. The day before a joint meeting of the Presidium of the Executive Committee of the City Council and he received a call and was told that his request to attend the meeting as a representative of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee was not satisfied, because "monitoring meetings are not permitted by law".

Viasna Human Rights Center