Elections: Sevyarynets withdraws; Rymasheuski, Sadouski stay in race

The organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy has refused from initial plans to boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections, as several MP candidates decide not to withdraw. They will remain in the constituencies where they enjoy a significant voters' support.
Two candidates -- Vital Rymasheuski and Dzianis Sadouski who are running in Minsk -- wil not pull out. In an interview with the European Radio for Belarus, Rymsheuski says that the Belarusian Christian Democracy's organizing committee will gather again soon to discuss again whether candidates should take part in the elections.

According to Sevyarynets, the main task is to focus just on some constituencies so that possible violations could be properly recorded. This is the same what some other pro-democracy parties are doing.

But Tatsiana Sevyarynets will tomorrow pull out of the race in Vitsebsk. She explains as follows::

"I have always faced hurdles, so there is no sense to take part in this so called election".

She had problems to print leaflets and hold rallies with voters. Her competitor -- the chairman of the local city council -- had no such problems. Besides, pressure was put on the members of Sevyarynets's nomination group.

All the BCD candidates have used the election campaign to disseminate information about their party which is trying to get a national registration.

"We regard this election campaign as a legal way, without arrests, to disseminate information about what we are doing so that new people can join", says Vital Rymasheuski. During a rally with Alexander Milinkevich attending yesterday alone, four people signed up as observers and two residents of Minsk declared intent to join the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy.