***

"People here got used to early voting. They think this opportunity is very convenient and tend to make use of it more and more often".

Lidiya Yermoshina, head of the Central Commission for Elections and National Referendums, March 16, 2006.

***

"The presidential campaign is dishonest and illegal, but they won’t manage to intimidate us. We’ll fight until a victory is won.”

Presidential candidate Aleksandr Milinkevich, March 9, 2006

***

"In his appearance on the radio on Monday, Aleksandr Kozulin spoke eight minutes less than he could, and Aleksandr Milinkevich spoke no more than 20 minutes [instead of 30]. This is evidence that the candidates are probably not very ready to say something to the voters, as they cannot use up the airtime they have been granted."

Lidiya Yermoshina, head of the Central Commission for Elections and National Referendums, February 28, 2006

***

"While reading some electronic and print media outlets, I noticed that nobody gave an assessment to my address. That was gratifying to me, as there was nothing to talk about, everything was clear and persuasive. My opponents don’t spend time on criticism, they just think to themselves: ‘If ours would do so!"

Sergei Gaidukevich, a candidate for President, February 27, 2006

***

"The possibility to change presidents is a guarantee of their responsibility. The people should have guarantees that he who comes to govern the country will have to account in five years for what he has done in the post. And a politician, each politician, should realize that he will have to answer to the people after a period set by the constitution."

Aleksandr Milinkevich, a candidate for President, February 27, 2006

***

"Truth is what the authorities are afraid of today, because truth destroys the myths and illusions that we’ve been fed with for 12 years now.”

Aleksandr Kozulin, a candidate for President, February 27, 2006

***

"Why did I get registered [as a presidential candidate]? I think both options were bad for the authorities. They are sure to have been weighing which would cause less trouble. A decision to deny me registration would be met with a strong reaction both abroad and inside the country. Granting registration would allow thousands of us to campaign all over the country and tell the truth. What won was apparently an intention to show – at least domestically – that competition is in place, because much is already clear to observers from European countries.”

Aleksandr Milinkevich, united opposition forces’ presidential nominee, February 17, 2006

***

"Sociological surveys by my opponents confirm that the incumbent president has a support rating of more than 60 percent, while at the most five or seven percent are ready today to vote for the opposition. Tell me whether Lukashenko needs to falsify the election in a situation where he can receive 76 to 78 percent of the vote of those who go to the polls. Who in my place would dare to rig the election only to face criticism later? I absolutely don’t need this."

Aleksandr Lukashenko, February 10, 2006

***

"I’m fighting these disasters to save our people and prove during this election campaign, prove yet another time that you have a good president and don’t need any other president. It’s honest. I try to show this by pursuing my policy.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko, January 27, 2006

***

"I am absolutely sure that the election will be held calmly. In Belarus, there are not social and economic grounds for disturbances. Moods in society are evidence that the outcome of the election is rather predictable."

Lidiya Yermoshina, chairwoman of the Central Commission of the Republic of Beklarus for Elections and National Referendums, January 17, 2006.

***

"If we are to pull out and call on people to boycott the election, we·ll have to ensure that less than 50 percent of the voters go to the polls. I think the authorities will not allow this, they will drive people there with a whip. As for withdrawing all challengers and leaving Lukashenko alone, this is a normal move, because the election is not going to be democratic, transparent and fair, but I don·t believe everyone will remove his candidacy, as there are alternates, they are evident.

Aleksandr Milinkevich, united opposition forces’ contender, January 15, 2006.

***

"I warned earlier that we had to fully complete the formation of governmental agencies in our state before the presidential election. After today·s reshuffle, interchanges and appointments, we are completing this work in general. But I want to stress once again that I would like us very much to approach the election with people in all agencies and at all levels who will work after the election campaign. I would not like any of you to wait for the presidential election and think about whether or not he will be serving in some position. This would be wrong. That·s why I warned you that we would do this work before the election. I believe this would be correct. And this gives most of the government officials, especially the cabinet, the opportunity to start, without a warm-up and delay, to work to the targets of the first year of the next five-year period and think about the strategy and prospects of the development of our state.

Aleksandr Lukashenko, January 10, 2006.

***

ЇGenerally speaking, we don·t care when we are to win a victory over Lukashenko, in July or March.˜

Aleksandr Milinkevich, united opposition forces· common presidential contender, December 16, 2005.

***

ЇWe are all speaking about a free and democratic election, about the need to bring as many people as possible to the polls. In this respect, March is the most democratic month for voters· participation in the election.˜

Sergei Gaidukevich, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party/member of the house of Representatives, December 16, 2005.

***

"Most likely, if I am not president, I will do nothing. I would be offered some amount of money and would retire on a pension. I would not get in somebody's road, not interfere in anything. Although I have 10 years before the retirement age."

Aleksandr Lukashenko, November 23, 2005.