Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected as the President of Belarus for a seventh consecutive term, with preliminary results showing he won 86.82% of the vote. The Central Election Commission, cited by the state news agency Belta, released these initial results on Monday. Lukashenko, who has held the presidency since 1994, significantly outpaced his closest rival, Sergei Syrankov, who garnered just 3.21%. Oleg Gaidukevich followed with 2.02%, while Anna Kanopatskaya and Alexander Khizhnyak received 1.86% and 1.74%, respectively.
The preliminary results indicate a decisive win for Lukashenko, who required more than 50% of the vote under Belarusian law to secure the presidency. However, the final results will not be confirmed until February 5, as stated by the election commission. Early voting took place from January 21 to 25, with more than 6.9 million citizens eligible to cast their ballots.
The election has been closely monitored by international observers, with nearly 500 accredited to observe the process. Despite the overwhelming support for Lukashenko in the early results, the election has been marked by criticism from opposition groups and international organizations over the fairness and transparency of the voting process. Lukashenko’s government has been accused of suppressing opposition movements, and his previous re-election in 2020 was met with widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud.
Lukashenko has been in power since 1994, following Belarus’ first presidential election after the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. His long tenure has seen the country maintain close ties with Russia, as well as a consistent stance on limiting political freedoms and suppressing dissent.
The re-election of Lukashenko is expected to maintain the status quo in Belarus, with continued state control over key sectors of the economy and strict measures on political opposition. Despite international pressure and criticism, Lukashenko’s grip on power remains strong, backed by a system that heavily favors his rule.
As the election results are finalized, the world will be watching to see how Belarusian citizens respond to another term of Lukashenko’s leadership, and whether opposition groups will continue to push for reforms in the face of a political environment dominated by the current president’s regime.
