Łukašenka credits election commission for “genuine democracy”

December 4, Pozirk. Alaksandar Łukašenka, in power since 1994 and running for the seventh term in January, has congratulated the central election commission (CEC) on its 35th anniversary.
“Largely due to your efforts, the elections in Belarus have become an instrument of genuine democracy, the main form of manifestation of the sovereignty of our people, an expression of their political will,” his press office quoted the message. “The strict observance of law by the CEC helps ensure political stability, preserve civil peace and harmony.”
The Belarusian ruler has controlled the central election commission since 1996, and is suspected of rigging every election and referendum since then.
Viktar Hančar, a politician who attempted to defend the commission’s independence in 1996, was reportedly murdered by a government-run death squad in 1999.
The European Union imposed entry bans on CEC head Ihar Karpienka in June 2022. The United States sanctioned Karpienka, CEC Secretary Alena Bałdoŭskaja and several other members in March 2023.
The CEC operates permanently with a five-year mandate. Its 12 members were appointed in December 2021.
The presidiums of regional and Minsk city elected councils and executive committees jointly recommend candidates to Łukašenka for approval.
Belarus will hold its seventh presidential election from January 21 to 26, with the whole election cycle limited to just three months. The previous 2020 presidential race was marred by police brutality against peaceful protesters.
The current presidential campaign is taking place in a purged political landscape amid a new wave of crackdown on regime critics. The ongoing politically-motivated reprisals are hampering Łukašenka’s attempts to present the upcoming election as competitive, rights defenders say.
Lawyer: pro-government parties not allowed to dominate territorial election commissions
- PoliticsŁukašenka justifies labor migration by staff shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- PoliticsMPs approve bill on international road transportation with PakistanThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyŁukašenka set to boost trade with Kaliningrad despite complicated logisticsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyNumber of Europeans using Belarus’ visa waiver growingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- EconomyEDB links Belarus’ reserves rise to foreign currency supply growthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsIrregular Belarus-EU crossings soaring since JanuaryThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsChina's parliamentary delegation to visit Belarus this weekThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyThree die in car crashes involving unlicenced driversThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyThunderstorm aftermath: 176 toppled trees, properties damagedThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyJob openings exceed 210,000 in early JuneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SocietyŁukašenka unveils Minsk stadium, thanks ChinaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsBelarusian envoy discusses labor migration with Vietnam’s officialsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsWarsaw extends border area entry ban by 90 daysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- PoliticsOpposition politicians meet diplomats from Australia, BelgiumThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: Minsk keeps cracking down on freedom of expressionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ sanctioned airline adds A330-200 to its fleetThe material is available only to POZIRK+