President Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected for a sixth consecutive term in an election that saw his toughest opposition challenge in years. PROTESTS have erupted in several cities in Belarus after a presidential vote that the opposition says was rigged. The official results of the election gave Lukashenko 80% of the votes and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leading opposition candidate in the election, … Belarus election: Opposition candidate rejects official results after authoritarian president Lukashenko claims landslide victory. Thousands protest over election results in Belarus Why the Trump Administration Won't Get Involved in Belarus' Disputed Election Results. Belarus’ central elections commission on Monday said preliminary results showed Lukashenko received a huge 80.24% of the vote, with Tikhanovskaya receiving just 9%. She and her supporters refused to recognize the result, saying the … Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Monday that “fundamental freedoms were disregarded and the integrity of the election process was not adequately safeguarded.”. The election in 1994 that brought Alyaksandr Lukashenka to power in Belarus was arguably the first and last election in the former Soviet republic that met some Western norms. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory, the central election commission said on Monday, August 10. The U.S. and the European Union have repeatedly criticized Belarusian authorities for flawed elections and crackdowns on the opposition, introducing sanctions against Lukashenko’s government. When the results were announced, however, the Central Election Commission said Lukashenko won 4.6 million votes, or 80 percent and Tsikhanouskaya got only 588,000, or 10 percent. The results of Belarus’s recent election, an alleged win for President Alexander Lukashenko by 80 percent, have been challenged by his main opponent Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. Belarus election results 2020: Exit polls reveal Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 6.8 percent of the vote (Image: GETTY) The majority was for us.". At the end of the first balloting in June 1994, Kyebich was slated to face the other candidate, Alexander Lukashenko. A former Soviet collective farm manager, Lukashenko has been the country's first and only president since independence was won in 1990. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, Protests erupted in several cities in Belarus after the election on August 9, President Alexander Lukashenko has been re-elected for a sixth consecutive term, Presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanouskaya casts her ballot, A police officer hits a demonstrator during the protests, Protesters and riot police clashed overnight in Minsk, Belarus, Lukashenko has been dubbed Europe's last dictator, Lukashenko has been re-elected for a sixth consecutive term, killed after being knocked over by a police van, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Riot police clashed with protesters in the Belarus capital Minsk after exit polls from the country’s presidential election projected Alexander Lukashenko winning with 80% of the vote. Thousands Protest Controversial Belarus Election Results The opposition claims the election was rigged as Lukashenko looks to extend his 26 … Results released by the national elections commission on Monday show all the parliament’s 110 seats won by former government functionaries, diplomats and members of pro-government parties. Opposition protesters clashed with security forces in Minsk after President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko of Belarus was announced as winning a sixth term in an election critics say was rigged. She was pictured with Veronika Tsepkalo, left, and Maria Kolesnikova before the the presidential election. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. When the results were announced, however, the Central Election Commission said Lukashenko won 4.6 million votes, or 80%, and Tsikhanouskaya received only 588,000, or 10%. Police fired water cannon, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters. Experts even predicted questionable election results in Belarus, but the future of the last dictatorship in Europe currently is uncertain. The Trump administration and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are expressing deep concern over the presidential election in Belarus, … Meanwhile, Ms Tikhanouskaya said she did not believe the polls, saying: "I will believe with my own eyes. Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence & falsification." Belarus has long been considered a puppet state of the Russian Federation, but as recently as June, their government has accused Russia of meddling in Belarus’ electoral process. MINSK, Belarus — Even before the Aug. 9 presidential election in Belarus ended, a poll worker in Minsk said she was asked to sign a document summing up its result… Anti-governmental protestors at a rally in Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, on August 26, 2020. The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, announced on Friday that the block is refusing to recognize the presidential election results in Belarus, in which President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected for a sixth consecutive term. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. MINSK — Authoritarian incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won Belarus’ presidential election, according to a preliminary vote count released Monday morning, as dozens of people were injured in protests across the country in what the opposition denounced as a fraudulent vote. Alexander Lukashenko, 65, has been Belarus' president since 1994 and has just been re-elected to serve a sixth term. One independent observer reported filming a woman stuffing a box with ballots, but the incident was brushed off by the elections commission head. When the results were announced, however, the Central Election Commission said Lukashenko won 4.6 million votes, or 80%, and Tsikhanouskaya got only 588,000, or 10%. Here's what you need to know about the 2020 Belarus election, which could signal the end of Europe's last dictatorship. Some of those penalties have been lifted in recent years as Belarus freed political prisoners as part of Lukashenko’s efforts to reach out to the West amid tensions with Belarus’ main sponsor and ally, Russia. News Belarus election: Lukashenko wins another term, election commission says. He has cast himself as a guarantor of stability but has battled a wave of anger over his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy and his human rights record. In a video address published before the EU leader summit, she called for “new, fair and democratic” election. Lukashenko has been widely condemned for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic which he said could be treated with saunas and vodka. View our online Press Pack. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Why the Trump Administration Won't Get Involved in Belarus' Disputed Election Results. Who won the Belarus election? “These elections have demonstrated an overall lack of respect for democratic commitments,” an observer team leader, Margaret Cederfeldt, said in the statement. The opposition was prepared for such an outcome — allegations of rigged elections have surfaced in every vote in Belarus since Lukashenko took power in 1994. Today EU reacted in unity and decisively in defence of EU interests & values, within Union & beyond our borders. Belarus election: Opposition candidate rejects official results after authoritarian president Lukashenko claims landslide victory. Svetlana Tikhanouskaya, a former English teacher who stood as Lukashenko's main rival, won 9.9 per cent of the vote, the data showed. European Union does not recognise Belarus election results, tighten sanctions Posted 5 h hours ago Wed Wednesday 19 Aug August 2020 at 9:20am , updated 24 m minutes ago Wed Wednesday 19 … Belarus election campaign has unexpected sideshow: Spat with Russia over alleged interference Belarus’s president looks for his sixth election … Why a stolen election in Belarus matters to America and the world Thousands of protesters, including women and children, continue to lock arms in protest of what was a rigged election. Belarus' main opposition candidate has rejected election results giving Alexander Lukashenko a landslide victory, as there were calls for fresh protests in Minsk. Results of Epivaccorona efficacy study to be made public in February. “Amid the argument with Russia, Lukashenko tries to normalize relations with the West, but it would be hard to do that without the opposition in parliament,” said Artyom Shraibman, a Minsk-based political analyst. But his top challenger, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, claims she actually won. The election commission announced on Monday that Lukashenko took 80.23% of the votes while his main opposition challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who has … Get short URL. Lukashenko has criticized the price hike as part of the Kremlin’s attempts to strong-arm his nation into a closer alliance. Anti-governmental protestors at a rally in Independence Square in Minsk, Belarus, on August 26, 2020. In a dramatic turn, Belarus police on July 29 arrested 33 men they claimed were Russian mercenaries sent to destabilise the situation ahead of the election. They have also vowed sanctions over violence against protesters. Figures released by the election commission gave Lukashenko 80 per cent of the vote. There is widespread suspicion that the election was not fair, with two opposition candidates denied places on the ballot before one of them was jailed and the other fled to Russia, Sky News reports. “The parliamentary election comes as a test for the West that was ready to negotiate and make deals with Minsk.”, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to the media after voting at a polling station during parliamentary elections, in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Protests in Belarus broke out Sunday against the results of a presidential election that gave the country's authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, a landslide win. Lukashenko received 81.35 percent of the vote in the election that saw a record turnout, according to the central electoral commision. The protests broke out after President Alexander Lukashenko declared a landslide in Sunday's election, laying claim to a sixth term in office. Belarus: EU doesn’t accept election results. Who won the Belarus election? EU leaders rejected Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko's re-election and announced more sanctions against those involved in the violent crackdown of peaceful protests. Belarus' Lukashenko says only election can decide the future of his presidency ... only elections can resolve this issue. Mass protests have gripped Belarus, a former Soviet nation of 9.5 million people, since official results from the Aug. 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory over Tsikhanouskaya. A statement from the OSCE team cited concerns including the exclusion of many opposition candidates, limited opportunity for public campaigning and shortcomings during vote counting. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya demanded a recount after the country's Central Election Commission announced that Alexander Lukashenko had won with 80.23% of the vote, while Tikhanovskaya stood at 9.9%. However, the main challenger has rejected the results and demanded that President Lukashenko "hand over power." Some protesters built barricades with rubbish bins, RIA news agency reported. Protests in Minsk, other cities after preliminary results of Belarus presidential election show landslide Lukashenko victory 9 Aug, 2020 17:05 . Her rallies have drawn some of the biggest crowds since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Reuters reports. Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence & falsification. 5 months ago . But they and many other opposition candidates were blocked from running again. Although Lukashenko has sought better relations with the West, on election day he said he wasn’t worried about criticism of the vote. Belarus election results: An opposition-free parliament By YURAS KARMANAU November 18, 2019 1 of 3 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko speaks to the media after voting at a polling station during parliamentary elections, in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Belarus: Thousands of People Arrested in Post-Election Protests. Authoritarian Alexander Lukashenko has won another term - but there are concerns that the election … Sometimes referred to as Europe's last dictator, President Lukashenko has dismissed his opposition candidate Ms Tikhanovskaya as a "poor little girl", manipulated by foreign "puppet masters". Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory, the central election commission said … Main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received eight percent of the ballots, with four percent of voters choosing the “against all candidates” option, official preliminary results showed.. The Central Election Commission of Belarus has finalized the presidential election results. Belarus election: Second night of clashes over disputed poll. The opposition was prepared for such an outcome — allegations of rigged elections have surfaced in every vote in Belarus since Lukashenko took power in 1994. 07:34. Incumbent President Aleksandr Lukashenko got 80.1% of the vote. The election came ahead of a presidential election next year, in which Lukashenko plans to run for another term. President Alexander G. Lukashenko of Belarus speaking to supporters in Independence Square on Sunday. The country’s election commission reported late on Monday that Lukashenko had won 80.08% of the vote while Tikhanovskaya took just 10.09%, despite … After voting on Sunday, August 9, Mr Lukashenko said he did not see Ms Tikhanouskaya as a threat, and denied imposing repressive measures on the opposition. At the time, Vyachaslaw Kyebich was the prime minister. Thousands of people protest after Lukashenko landslide win in Belarus election. “The parliamentary election has served as a dress rehearsal of next summer’s presidential vote,” said political analyst Alexander Klaskovsky. Tikhanouskaya entered the race in Belarus after her husband, an anti-government blogger who intended to run, was jailed. Moscow has recently introduced higher prices for its oil supplies, depriving Belarus of a hefty income from the export of oil products made from cheap Russian crude. Get started The Central Election Commission in Belarus announced Monday that preliminary results showed Lukashenko won with 80.23% of the vote, while Tikhanovskaya stands at 9.9%. During presidential elections territorial election commissions sum up election results in a region (town). MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Full preliminary results from parliamentary elections in Belarus show the chamber will have no members of the opposition to challenge strongman President Alexander Lukashenko. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Belarus Presidential Election Results: Alexander Lukashenko Claims Victory - Bloomberg. Interior Ministry spokeswoman Olga Chemodanova said that police efforts to restore order were continuing overnight, according to DW. The outgoing parliament in the former Soviet republic had two opposition deputies. After a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, Borrell twitted: "EU doesn't accept election results. The main challenger to Belarus's Alexander Lukashenko has refused to accept the autocratic president won 80% of the vote in Sunday's election. Belarus strongman Alexander Lukashenko claims he won re-election Sunday with more than 80 percent of the vote. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 14, 2020. Squares and streets in the capital Minsk were sealed off by police as Mr Lukashenko vowed that the situation would remain "under control", BBC News reports. In office since 1994, the former collective farm manager has stifled dissent and independent news media and retained many aspects of a Soviet-style economy. Belarus election suspected to be rigged, won by 26-year authoritative President Alexander Lukashenko. Belarus election: Police and protesters clash on streets as ‘dictator’ Lukashenko declared winner. Figures released by the election commission gave Lukashenko 80 per cent of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, centre, fled Belarus after the election results were revealed. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Given this data the Minsk Oblast and Minsk City Commission for Elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus finalizes the outcomes of elections in the Minsk Oblast and the City of Minsk. MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Full preliminary results from parliamentary elections in Belarus show the chamber will have no members of the opposition to challenge strongman President Alexander Lukashenko. The lead-up to the election saw a crackdown on activists and journalists amid the country's biggest opposition demonstrations in years. In 1994, the first ever elections for the office of President of Belarus took place. When the results were announced, however, the Central Election Commission said Lukashenko won 4.6 million votes, or 80%, and Tsikhanouskaya got only 588,000, or 10%. The election in 1994 that brought Alyaksandr Lukashenka to power in Belarus was arguably the first and last election in the former Soviet republic that met some Western norms. Before the adoption of the state constitution, Belarus had a prime minister, and had ever since breaking away from the Soviet Union. The protests began after an official exit poll showed that Lukashenko won Sunday's presidential election with 79.7% of the vote, securing a sixth term in office. European Union leaders said Wednesday that they would not recognize the results … Lukashenka said after casting his vote in Minsk that neither he nor the government will allow Belarus to slip into "chaos" or "civil war" after the results of the election are announced. Belarus Election, Widely Viewed As Fraudulent, Brings Out Women Protesters Security forces have clashed with demonstrators since Sunday's election… For other inquiries, Contact Us. There have been clashes between police and thousands of protesters who said the vote was rigged. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Latest reaction after Poirier STOPS McGregor in shock on Fight Island, Schools may not return until MAY as government set to rule out February restart, McGregor given shock 2nd round battering by Poirier to ruin long-awaited comeback, Israel sees Covid cases plunge by 60% among vaccinated over-60s, Wills & Kate 'besotted' with new puppy after death of family dog last year, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Alternative exit poll suggested challenger Svetlana Tikhanovskaya came out on top Belarus’ opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya also condemned the election, which placed her second to long-time authoritarian leader Lukashenko, as falsified. Results released by the national elections commission on Monday show all the parliament’s 110 seats won by former government functionaries, diplomats and members of pro-government parties. Election observers and government opponents questioned the poll’s integrity. Belarusian opposition figures had said early voting was a particular concern, because the ballot boxes are not guarded. EU rejects Belarus election result, vows quick sanctions European Union leaders say the bloc will soon impose sanctions over Belarus elections that were "not free and fair." “I’m not in the habit of worrying about this matter,” he said, adding that his administration “isn’t playing at some kind of democracy.”. Human rights groups say more than 1,300 people were detained in the crackdown ahead of the election, including independent election observers and members of Tikhanouskaya's campaign team. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory, the central election commission said on Monday, August 10. EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, say the bloc does not recognize Belarus' election result. At least one person was killed after being knocked over by a police van and dozens were injured in the clashes that began after polling stations closed on Sunday, August 9, a representative of the rights group Spring 96 told Reuters. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, 37, entered in place of her jailed husband and went on to lead large opposition rallies. "I … However, he now faces the biggest challenge in years to keep his grip on power with some voters believing strongly that it is time he stood down. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. , laying claim to a sixth term voting was a particular concern, because the ballot boxes not! The 2020 Belarus election: Lukashenko wins another term, election commission gave Lukashenko per... President Alexander Lukashenko 's re-election and announced more sanctions against those Involved in the violent crackdown of peaceful protests:! 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