Polls opened in Belarus on Sunday for parliamentary and local elections, which are expected to solidify the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko. The opposition has called for a boycott of the elections, labeling them a 'senseless farce.'
Most candidates in the elections belong to parties that support Lukashenko's policies, with several opposition parties denied registration. Opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, currently in exile, urged voters to boycott the elections, stating that there are no candidates offering real change.
The elections come after the contentious 2020 vote that sparked widespread protests in Belarus, leading to mass arrests and a crackdown on dissent. Lukashenko, who has been in power for nearly three decades, has accused Western countries of attempting to undermine his government through the elections.
The election process has been marred by allegations of manipulation, with reports of forced early voting and restrictions on observers. Lukashenko has ordered increased security measures, claiming Western countries are plotting a coup in Belarus.
The elections will result in the formation of a new state body, the All-Belarus Popular Assembly, with broad powers including the ability to appoint election officials and judges. Lukashenko, who previously considered leading the new body, announced his intention to run for president again next year.
The decision to ban OSCE observers from monitoring the elections has drawn criticism, with the OSCE stating that the human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. Observers noted that the government has not made any pretense of holding a democratic vote.
Overall, the elections in Belarus are seen as a test for the government following the protests of 2020, with authorities aiming to eliminate any opposition voices and erase memories of past demonstrations.
