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Presov: Smer Region Chairman Calls On Opposition to Monitor Elections Together
Thursday 19 November 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Presov, November 19 (TASR) - With respect to alleged buying of Roma votes in Presov region in the first round of higher territorial units (VUC) elections, Smer-SD chairman for Presov region Stanislav Kubanek on Thursday called on SDKU-DS and Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) representatives to join efforts in monitoring the second election round.
Kubanek suggested to form patrols stationed in Roma settlements, consisting of one representative of Smer-SD, as well as one from SDKU-DS and KDH coalition, and a "Roma representative if necessary".
Kubanek thinks that SDKU-DS - KDH coalition could embrace his proposal, as it might guarantee a transparent electoral competition. SDKU-DS and KDH both support Jan Hudacky in his bid for Presov VUC Governor.
Both SDKU-DS and KDH Presov Region Chairmen Stefan Kuzma and Pavol Tarcala responded that Hudacky called on all of his competitors before the first election round to dissociate themselves from buying Roma votes. Allegedly, the Smer party and its candidate chose not to react at the time.
"On November 28 (the second round of elections), we will monitor the critical districts as before and emphatically point out to any violations of the law," says SDKU-DS and KDH joint statement.
The Smer candidate and incumbent Presov region Governor Peter Chudik said that KDH and SDKU-DS representatives intentionally emphasise the election results in districts with the Roma settlements, where Chudik or Smer MP candidates won.
Chudik conveyed a worry that the Roma franchise has become the tool of the Opposition's political struggle for the second election round. He pointed out that there are districts with the Roma settlements, where the Opposition candidates has won. As an example, Chudik mentioned the election results in village of Zbudske Dlhe (Presov region), where the candidate of KDH and SDKU-DS has won by a large margin.
Opposition candidate Hudacky has denied that his effort to shed light on the vote manipulations is part of his political campaign strategy. He added that he just wants the elections to be transparent and fair.
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