Lyabedzka: It was a difficult campaign, but I will not leave politics
Through out the voting day on Sunday, the mood of Anatol Lyabedzka, the leader of United Civic Party who was running at Staravilenskaya Constituency No 105 in Minsk, would change from black-and-white to business-like. On Monday morning, the politician said he was in a working mood, yet hoping to get at least two days off to sleep out and play football. Lyabedzka's family voted at the 454th polling stations located in the 16th Gymnasium where the president's granddaughter studies.
Casting his ballot, Anatol Lyabedzka noted that he was voting for witnessing free and fair elections in four years.
The politician spent most of his day, visiting polling stations and gathering information. He said this year's campaign differed almost nothing from the 2004 parliamentary polls:
Lyabedzka: It was more difficult for me this time. I was able to print campaign materials just two days before the campaigning began. I passed through checks. No-one was entered into the election commission.
But despite being tired and no chances to become an MP, Lyabedzka describes his campaign as positive and is not going to leave politics. He says he feels sorry for people who want changes, so he wants to do something for them.
Lyabedzka: It was a difficult campaign. There were no resources, much was done due to optimism of our activists. First of all, we tested our people, the ones who are able to do things. Secondly, I got convinced in my conversations with people that I should not leave politics.
Now that the election outcome is annnounced, Lyabedzka plans to take a rest. Afterwards, he plans to collect signatures of the voters who voted for him in order to prove that the election was rigged. He says he knows a lot of people personally who surely voted for him. He also plans to go to court and demand the results of Sunday's polls.
According to the official results in Staravilenskaya Constituency No 105, Anatol Lyabedzka received 9.7 percent of votes. During the previous campaign, the figure was higher.
Photo by Kasya Zolatava
Casting his ballot, Anatol Lyabedzka noted that he was voting for witnessing free and fair elections in four years.
The politician spent most of his day, visiting polling stations and gathering information. He said this year's campaign differed almost nothing from the 2004 parliamentary polls:
Lyabedzka: It was more difficult for me this time. I was able to print campaign materials just two days before the campaigning began. I passed through checks. No-one was entered into the election commission.
But despite being tired and no chances to become an MP, Lyabedzka describes his campaign as positive and is not going to leave politics. He says he feels sorry for people who want changes, so he wants to do something for them.
Lyabedzka: It was a difficult campaign. There were no resources, much was done due to optimism of our activists. First of all, we tested our people, the ones who are able to do things. Secondly, I got convinced in my conversations with people that I should not leave politics.
Now that the election outcome is annnounced, Lyabedzka plans to take a rest. Afterwards, he plans to collect signatures of the voters who voted for him in order to prove that the election was rigged. He says he knows a lot of people personally who surely voted for him. He also plans to go to court and demand the results of Sunday's polls.
According to the official results in Staravilenskaya Constituency No 105, Anatol Lyabedzka received 9.7 percent of votes. During the previous campaign, the figure was higher.
Photo by Kasya Zolatava
