Belarus Holds Presidential Election Under Tight Control

Alexander Lukashenko seeks a seventh term in a vote widely criticized as undemocratic by international observers and human rights groups.

The presidential election in Belarus, set for Sunday, is expected to extend Alexander Lukashenko's 30-year rule, with no credible opposition candidates allowed to participate.
International observers, including a UN Special Rapporteur, have labeled the election as neither free nor fair, citing widespread repression and lack of political freedoms.
Lukashenko has invited select international election observers, excluding the OSCE, to legitimize the vote, a practice critics call 'fake observation.'
The political climate in Belarus remains tense, with thousands of political prisoners, a silenced opposition, and a population subdued by fear of government reprisal.
Analysts suggest Lukashenko's regime relies on a mix of repression, state propaganda, and economic stability to maintain support, particularly among older and rural populations.