Vitsebsk pro-democratic activists Lidziya Sahidulina, Siarhei Parsiukevich and Uladzimir Pravalski have lodged complaints with the Central Election Commission, contesting yesterday’s decisions by local election commissions to deny them registration as candidates for Parliament.

Siarhei Parsiukevich, activist of the Tell the Truth campaign, says denial of registration by constituency election commission No. 20 was illegal. “The two check-ups said there were many irregularities in my signature sheets. I am going to appeal the decision, because I am sure that the signatures are valid,” says the activist.

Uladzimir Pravalski, who was running for President in 2010, says the constituency election commission violated the Electoral Code when verifying the signatures. “The commission’s decision says that they found 32 invalid signatures, i.e. 16% of the amount checked. Therefore the commission should have carried out another check,” says former presidential hopeful.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”