Belarus prepares for election marked by predictability and pretense
Belarusian officials are working hard to ensure everything is ready for the "presidential election" on January 26. Polish experts describe it as "Lukashenko's election ritual." Four of the leader’s opponents have been registered.
Politician Aleh Haidukevich "supports Lukashenko" but also advocates for reforms aimed at "improving citizens' quality of life while maintaining political stability." Communist Siarhei Syrankou aims to "promote socialist values, with a focus on social justice, free education, and healthcare." Meanwhile, Andrey Dmitriyeu’s goals include raising the minimum wage, improving working conditions, and increasing access to social services.
Hanna Kanapatskaya, an entrepreneur, is taking the strongest stance, emphasizing "the development of small and medium-sized enterprises and increasing transparency in public administration." She declares that she supports "strengthening civil rights and integrating with Western markets." It is noted that her campaign is primarily directed towards entrepreneurs and younger voters.
These alleged opponents of Aliaksandr Lukashenko were registered on December 23 by the national electoral commission to take part in the presidential elections. "Candidates still have time to adjust some of their campaign strategies, campaign among the population, meet voters, and review their platforms," said Central Election Commission Chairman Igor Karpenko to the media. He assured that preparations are at a high level, and none of the candidates are filing protests.
Lukashenko has met the "competitors." Soon the "election ritual"
A Belarusian official confirmed that the campaign would be surprisingly short. On January 1, candidates can begin presenting their programs and participate in debates, with the vote scheduled for January 26. The results will be announced on February 5. Few doubt that Lukashenko will remain in power.
- We don’t call this an election. No standards are met. Thousands of people are imprisoned for political reasons. There is no real opposition to Lukashenko’s regime. His forces are focused on combating Belarusian democratic circles operating in Poland - said Pavel Latushka, one of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition and Deputy Prime Minister in Belarus’s United Transitional Cabinet.
Experts from the Central Europe Institute in Lublin, Poland, are convinced that the information about the Belarusian elections is merely a façade rather than a sign of genuine democratic processes. "In an atmosphere of fear, mass repression, and forced mobilization of society in Belarus, another ceremonial electoral ritual and a propagandistic plebiscite will occur, culminating in the continuation of the current president’s rule. This conclusively demonstrates the lack of alternatives within Belarus’s current political system," commented CEI analysts in a report focused on the upcoming elections.
They continue, "Independent media in Belarus have been practically eliminated, all opposition political parties have been dissolved, most non-governmental organizations have been forcibly closed, and about 1,500 political prisoners have been detained or imprisoned. Conducting democratic, competitive, and fair presidential elections is not possible."
Experts note that the elections were scheduled earlier than initially expected, shortening the current president's term by several months. Moreover, in connection with the upcoming elections, there have been increased preventive measures from the authorities, including arrests of individuals suspected of planning protests.
