Belarus does not need foreign approval for its presidential elections, which are being held today, said authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko, quoted by DPA, BTA reported.
The elections are being held for the people, Lukashenko said after voting in the capital Minsk. He added that it is completely irrelevant to him whether the European Union will recognize the elections or not. 70-year-old Lukashenko is trying to secure another, already seventh, term after more than 30 years in power in the former Soviet republic.
After the last elections in 2020, massive protests almost brought him to power. However, he suppressed the protests with violence and has since maintained a kind of political peace in Belarus, DPA notes. Human rights activists estimate that about 1,200 of Lukashenko's opponents are still in prison. "Some have chosen prison, others exile, but we have not expelled anyone from the country," he said in Minsk.
Opposition candidates were not allowed to participate in the elections. Four candidates ran against Lukashenko as a formality. Polling stations will remain open until 8 p.m. local time. Lukashenko is expected to be declared the winner after that.