Local election: CEC official reminds about 'vote against all' option

Electoral commissions filled post boxes with leaflets advertising candidates in their constituencies. However, apart from the name of the candidate, its party membership, place of work, incomde in the past year and property, one cannot learn anything else. There is no even a photo of the candidates on leaflets. Is this background information sufficient for people to pick the right candidate?

Central Election Commission secretary Mikhail Lazavik is confident there is enough information in order to make a choice. At least, his wife managed to do it, he says.

Mikalai Lazavik: “Well, they have brought this information to me about three candidates running. My wife took a look, made some analysis and was able to pick one out of three. Who is supposed to be a newsmaker in electiral campaigns? Candidate. Therefore, they have to make sure their campaign is heard: set up an electoral fund, print leaflets and spread them around via a campaign group”.

Are candidates satisfied with the fact that a leaflet produced by the electoral commission advertises them? What do they do themselves to "popularize" their programs? For example, let's take a look at the leaflet about candidates for the seats in Minsk City Council, running in Aeroflotskaya constituency No 18. What do we learn from it? There are three male candidates, two of them serving as CEOs with a decent income in the past year and one without income but owning shares of four different companies. All of them own cars. CEOs also possess car garages. Party membership and that's it. Is it enough to make a proper choice, you think?

“Of course, not!” laments candidate Aliaksandr Antonau who is running  in this very constituency. He has no income, owns shares and is a member of Liberal Democratic Party of Belarus. However, he demands that more details from his biography be added on the leaflet rather than more details of his campaign agenda and promises to voters!

Aliaksandr Antonau: “I want to add that I used to be a Soviet Army officer, serving for ten years and resigning in the rank of Captain; that I am a USSR Master of Sports and a member of water polo veterans' team; that I worked for six years at the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, serving at a senior management position there.”

When asked by Euroradio to share his message for voters, the candidate answered:

“The key thing is that we [apparently, the Liberal Democratic Party - Euroradio] are neither with the authorities nor with the opposition. We are with the people!” When Euroradio reporter noted that voters did not care who he was wit but rather were interested in whether a hospital or a parking would be built in the neighborhood, he said: “Everything is in ruins. Everything should be put in order!” He has no idea about the electoral programs of other candidates.

Aliaksandr Antonau set up his own electoral fund and deposited Br 1 million ($100. He spent this million to print his leaflets that he handed out during pickets. But he does not throw leaflets into post boxes. In other words, if you you want to learn more about candidate Antonau, go attend his campaign rally.

Valery Danilovich, a member of Communist Party, Director General of Belsantechmontazh-2 state-owned enterprise, also set up his fund, using his own personal money. HIs leaflets were pinned in various "specially designed locations" and are handed out at pickets. His campaign staff does not throw his leaflets to post boxes, either. Exclusively for Euroraio, the candidate formulated his message vor voters in one sentence:

Valery Danilovich: “Taking care about our people”

When asked to elaborate, he explained that he meant housing repairs, better roads and playgrounds for kids, and parkings…

He just quickly scanned the program of one of his contenders — Belaeronavigation CEO Leanid Churo who has no party affiliation.  He could not care less about the program of another contender Aliaksandr Antonau.

What is the bottomline of Leanid Churo's program and how is he making sure to make it known to his voters? We have failed to find out, because his assistant said he was extremely busy in and out of town.

How can voters make a choice of they did not pass by a campaign picket and and did not attend a campaign rally and missed a radio speech? Central Election Commission secretary Mikalai Lazavik suggests fault-free option:

“If some some reasons it was impossible to make a choice judging by the information on a leaflet, there is a fourth line in a ballot paper: "against all."

Perhaps, that's the way to vote, given that according to CEC, out of 4916 candidates for seats in district councils, only 72 people set up their campaign funds. Out of 694 candidates for regional councils 152 have their campaign funds. The same applies to 97 out of 189 candidates for Minsk City Council. Otherwise, one will have to pick only judging by the number of cars, apartments in possession and personal income.

Photo: Zmicier Lukashuk, bymedia.net