“Good afternoon.
Yesterday, the regime announced an illegitimate “referendum. It is an attempt to retain power, but it does not solve the political, economic or humanitarian crisis and problems of the people. It is not a choice between “for” and “against,” Belarusians are offered a “choice” between Lukashenko and Lukashenko. And this is not what the Belarusians have fought for and continue to fight for. Belarusians want normal life, security, and freedom. Belarusians want new fair elections. This is the only way out of the crisis.
We urge citizens to come to the polling stations and take action with the ballot: to invalidate it by crossing out all the choices offered. And to confirm their decision through the “Golos” platform – this will allow us to show the real situation at each polling station in each city.
We were prepared for such a scenario. Yesterday we have already sent letters on behalf of my Office, the Coordination Council and NAU to all international partners. We called not to recognize the so-called “referendum” and to support the demand of Belarusians to release political prisoners and hold new elections. And to increase pressure on the regime in case the repression continues.
Today we announced the launch of the operational headquarters of democratic forces for the campaign period. Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, National Anti-Crisis management, Coordinational Council, Honest People, Zubr, ByPOL and many other initiatives will work together the following month, and will gather in the same office in Vilnius a few days before referendum”.
