Belarusian opposition websites blocked after fraud reportsSeptember 24, 2012 - 12:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A number of Belarusian political opposition websites were blocked following their reports about allegedly falsified results on parliamentary election voters’ turnout, according to RIA Novosti. Head of the Central Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina said the voters’ turnout totaled two-thirds (74.3 percent) nationally in Belarusian parliamentary elections. The opposition denied the results. Political opposition websites “Belarusian Christian Democracy,” “For Fair Election,” and “For Freedom” were blocked on Sunday, Sept 23, at 7:00 pm local time, according to their administrators. “It was very interesting that websites were blocked only to Belarusian users, while people from abroad had access to them,” Denis Sadovsky, a spokesman for the Belarusian Christian Democracy, said. Sadovsky said he believed that websites were blocked after they posted alternative results of voters’ turnout, comparing to official results given by the Central Election Commission. The Belarusian Central Election Commission declared the elections valid at 3:00 pm local time, after more than 50 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots. The Central Election Commission claims the opposition declaration is part of a strategy devised long before the election, of pandering to a western audience. “Some opposition politicians declared their non-recognition of the election result back at the start of this year. They do this so as to show the media and foreign politicians that Belarus has no elections, and they can’t be free and fair,” Central Election Commission secretary Mykola Lozovyk said in response to claims brought up by the opposition. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia. Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements. Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of Armenia Henrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |