Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko has secured a seventh term in office following an election widely condemned by Western governments as a sham.
The Central Election Committee announced on Monday that Lukashenko won 86.8% of the vote, with voter turnout approaching 87%.
While four other names appeared on the ballot, they were carefully selected to ensure no serious challenge to the current leadership. No credible opposition candidates were allowed to run, with all key opposition figures either imprisoned or living in exile. Additionally, the election was not monitored by independent observers.
The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, criticized the election as a “blatant affront to democracy,” while German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed on X that “the people of Belarus had no choice.”
In contrast, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin congratulated his close ally Lukashenko on his “solid victory,” praising the election as “absolutely legitimate, well-organised, and transparent,” and rejecting Western criticism.
Leaders from China, Venezuela, and Pakistan also offered their congratulations to Lukashenko.
Exiled opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya dismissed the election as “yet another political farce.” Tikhanovskaya, who claimed victory in the 2020 election while standing for her jailed husband, was forced out of Belarus after gaining significant public support.
With no opposition left in the country and all independent media silenced, Lukashenko’s grip on power remains unchallenged.
In an interview with BBC’s Steve Rosenberg on Sunday, Lukashenko remarked that his opponents had “chosen” prison or exile. “We never forced anyone out of the country,” he stated, adding that he “couldn’t care less whether [the West] recognises our election.”
This victory marks Lukashenko’s seventh term in office, continuing his rule over Belarus since 1994.
(BBC)
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
