At least 30 observers representing the United Civil Party have been denied access to the polling stations in Mahiliou constituency No. 87, as the early vote stage of the election campaign started today.

The bans refer to the alleged absence of a stamp on the party’s nomination papers.

However, local UCP leader Uladzimir Shantsau says he clarified the issue at the Central Election Commission, where he was told that the constituency election commission had misunderstood the procedures and it therefore should allow all the UCP observers to polling stations.

“Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections”