CEC: voter turnout in Belarus’ presidential election at 85.7 percent

January 26, Pozirk. Polls have closed for Belarus’ seventh presidential election with voter turnout at 85.7 percent, of which 41.8 percent voted early, the Central Election Commission (CEC) reports.
Authorities recorded a turnout of 92.64 percent for the Mahiloŭ region, 91.54 percent for the Homiel region, 90.56 percent for the Brest region, 89.28 percent for the Hrodna region, 86.71 percent for the Minsk region, 86.39 percent for the Viciebsk region and 69.72 percent for Minsk.
The CEC intends to report preliminary data on the number of votes for each candidate by 2 a.m. with the announcement of preliminary results of the election scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow.
The election took place in a purged political landscape amid a new wave of crackdown on regime critics.
The five presidential bidders were Alaksandar Łukašenka, his supporters Aleh Hajdukievič, Alaksandar Chižniak, Siarhiej Syrankoŭ as well as former MP Hanna Kanapackaja.
The Belarusian opposition dismissed the election as a sham, noting that political reprisals prevent pro-democracy candidates from running and voters from freely expressing their will.
The country has not held a single free and fair election since 1996 by the standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
- Politics, SecurityEU slams Belarus over “provocative actions” against LithuaniaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyLending to economy rises 14 percent since January – HałoŭčankaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsKGB brands eight regime critics as terroristsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja's team prioritizing Belarusians affected by Lithuanian border closureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityIrregular crossings spike after Warsaw announces border reopening planThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition leader dismisses calls for talks with ŁukašenkaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityLithuania’s PM Ruginenė to discuss Belarus border closure with Poland’s TuskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyOpposition politician advocates for exiled Belarusians’ rights at CoE eventThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, SecurityBiełavija CEO hopes for US spare parts supplies after sanctions easingThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyCentral bank's head expects inflation at 6 percent by year's endThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- PoliticsCichanoŭskaja: Democracy has tools to stop dictators and warsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelarus reports 50 percent rise in migrant workers in a yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityBelarus' KGB to check terrorism preparedness in central districtThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarusian, Kazakh leaders discuss security summit by phoneThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SocietyReprisals: Homiel teacher sentenced on extremism chargesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsBelarus FM sets out Minsk's conditions for restoring ties with EUThe material is available only to POZIRK+



