Back on 20 September, Milana Kharytonava, press photographer of the Brestskiy Kurier independent newspaper, lodged a complaint with the chairman of constituency No. 1, appealing obstacles she faced while exercising her professional duties at polling station No. 44.

In her appeal, the journalist argues that she was prohibited to interview one of the voters during the early vote campaign. The election officials said the photographer could only take photos.

On 18 October, Ms. Kharytonava learned that the election commission had been dismissed a few days before. As a result, no reply to her complaint was issued.

“I think this was done on purpose, it was not a mistake to leave my complaint unattended. I know that some of my colleagues received answers to their appeals. I my case, the waited until the commission was dismissed, and now they cannot answer me. They violated the Code on Public Appeals, as well as my rights to receiving information. And they are going to keep avoiding this in the future,” says Milana Kharytonava.

Having received no answer from the election commission, the journalist has submitted a complaint to Brest Regional Prosecutor’s Office, www.euroradio.by reports.