General Conclusions: - Creation of initiative groups for collection of signatures in support of candidates’ nomination does not show any significant difference in intensity from its regular level for parliamentary elections in Belarus: the total of 439 initiative groups applied for registration.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, decision-making about membership of district election commissions was made by voting for complete lists, without open discussion of the nominated candidates.

The parliamentary election does not receive wide coverage in mass media. State-owned media ignore the election activity of the opposition forces, publishing materials about the current members of the Chamber of Representatives and the potential pro-governmental candidates.

The parties in opposition began nominating their representatives to district election commissions: as of today, they claim they have nominated more than 300 members altogether (which is almost 3 times more than during the parliamentary elections in 2008). We observe intensification of targeted repression against the opposition structures and the civic society. At the same time, the recently detained journalist Andrzej Poczobut was released on bail.

- The election campaign begins in unfavorable environment, on the background of political repression, in conditions of the pressure on the opposition forces and the civic society. Political prisoners continue to stay behind the bars, and the recent arrest of independent journalist Andrzej Poczobut demonstrates intensification of the repression against the independent media.

The Human Rights Defenders for Free Elections campaign has launched a nation-wide election observation campaign ahead of the September parliamentary election at a press-conference held in Viasna’s office today.