The initiative group of Alexander Lukashenko collected over 700 thousand signatures in the first week of the campaign.
According to DV, human rights defenders claim that this process is accompanied by pressure, repression, and the use of administrative resources.
Many citizens report being coerced into signing at their workplaces. Employees from educational institutions, hospitals, and companies state that management "recommends" signing in favor of the incumbent president, threatening dismissal or loss of social benefits.
"Everyone is afraid they will lose their jobs. Who wants to lose their means of livelihood? If you want to work – go ahead," recalls one college instructor about the management's demands to go to HR and sign for Lukashenko.
Students from medical universities note that they are being forced to sign right within the university premises, and those living in dormitories are threatened with a review of their living conditions.
Activists from the "Workers' Movement" initiative claim that many enterprises have organized a "signature campaign." Those who refuse are summoned for discussions and intimidated with potential problems. Despite this, many in Belarus are trying to avoid coercion by taking sick leave or seeking other ways to refrain from signing. However, such actions draw the attention of management.
Human rights defenders assert that coercion to sign and the use of administrative resources violates the electoral code of Belarus. In particular, Article 61 states that such actions may serve as grounds for denying candidate registration or canceling an already made decision.
"Belarus, as a member state of the OSCE, has committed to ensuring that electoral campaigns are conducted in an atmosphere of openness and honesty, free from administrative pressure, intimidation, or fear of punitive measures against candidates, parties, or voters," note the lawyers.
Source: dw .