Election Date: March 19, 2006

Abstract: At stake: President

At stake: President

Background

Belarus seceded from the Soviet Union in 1991. Three years later, independent candidate Aleksandr Lukashenko won the presidential election, boosted by his popularity after acting as chairman of an anti-corruption parliamentary committee. In 1995, Lukashenko pushed for a referendum on a new state flag and the restoration of Russian as one of the country's official languages.

A new plebiscite in 1996 increased Lukashenko's clout over the legislative branch. In September 2001, the incumbent earned a new term as president. International observers pointed out that the conditions were not particularly fair in the ballot.

The administration's human rights record has been severely criticized internationally. In 2002, the United States and 14 members of the European Union (EU) called for a travel ban on Lukashenko and other government ministers. The veto was lifted in April 2003, but both the U.S. and the EU remain critical of Belarus.

In October 2004, Belarusian voters renewed their legislative branch and participated in a referendum to remove an article in the constitution that limits presidents to two consecutive five-year terms.

Click here for Belarus 2004 Election Tracker

In May 2005, U.S. president George W. Bush referred to Belarus as "the last remaining dictatorship in Europe," adding, "When the elections come, make sure the elections are free, and have monitors and international observers. As you know, that made a big difference in the Ukraine."

2006 Presidential Election

On Jan. 30, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced that four persons had filed their paperwork to run as candidates in the Mar. 19 presidential election. Along with incumbent Aleksandr Lukashenko, three other contenders—Aleksandr Milinkevich of the United Democratic Opposition, Sergei Gaidukevich of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Aleksandr Kozulin of the Social Democratic Party—have been registered.

In January, Lukashenko issued a warning to foreign countries about outside interference in the election, declaring, "The embassies should know that they can be out of here at 24 hours' notice and no one will help them."

Each candidate must submit a list with 100,000 signatures in support of their nomination. Two other prospective contenders—Aleksandr Voitovich and Zenon Pozniak—abandoned the race in the early stages, citing concerns about fairness. Voitovich—a scientist—said he did not want to "create illusions for electors that the participation of Lukashenko in the election is legal, and that the election would be held in correspondence with the Constitution and the Electoral Code."

In early February, the Council of Europe urged the Belarusian government to take concrete measures to allow news broadcasts from different sources, and asked the president to review the structure of local election commissions to ensure fairness and balance.

On Feb. 4, the U.S. State Department announced that a high-profile visit to Belarus by U.S. and European Union (EU) officials had been cancelled because Belarusian authorities did not issue the proper travel permits. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack declared, "We both believe that it is vital that the presidential election be conducted in a free and fair manner."

On Feb. 17, the CEC ratified that Lukashenko, Milinkevich, Gaidukevich and Kozulin would be the only contenders in the presidential race. Each candidate participated in an address at the CEC headquarters. Lukashenko declared, "I want the election campaign to proceed in strict accordance with the law, unlike in other corners of the planet. I warn you that only the Belarusian people will elect the head of state, without pressure from outside."

Milinkevich complained about the political climate in Belarus, saying, "The conditions for the race are very unequal, but I am going to take part to tell people the truth, to prove to them that those who want change are in a majority." Kozulin declared, "Belarus is stuck in the past. Before (Lukashenko), Belarus had no enemies, and now we have enemies everywhere. Belarus today is a pariah country."

On Feb. 22, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin criticized the election observers affiliated with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), saying, "As we already learned in the past, (their) way of doing things gives grounds for biased conclusions."

On Mar. 1, security chief Stepan Sukhorenko said his agency had uncovered a plot to mount a coup after the presidential election. According to Sukhorenko, the plan entailed setting off an explosion at a protest rally, and then blaming the authorities for the ensuing bloodshed, adding, "After that (they will) start seizing official buildings and stations and blocking railway lines with the aim of completely paralyzing the functioning of the state." Belarusian authorities have levelled similar accusations before, but no person has ever been prosecuted for their participation in alleged coups.

On Mar. 2, police detained Kozulin in Minsk as he was about to register for the All-Belarusian Assembly, a national gathering that was established to identify the country's economic priorities for the next five years. According to prosecutors, Kozulin was arrested after he pushed a policeman, and later damaged a picture of the president at the police station.

On Mar. 6, Belarusian diplomat Andrei Popov defended the country's electoral process, saying, "It is Belarus' aspiration to hold free and fair elections complying with the law and international obligations of our country." At an opposition rally, Milinkevich described the country as suffering "from the stability of stagnation. Neighbouring countries, which until recently had been together with Belarus in the Soviet Union, were in contrast, moving forward everyday."

On Mar. 7 in Minsk, the heads of government of Belarus and Russia expressed satisfaction with bilateral relations. Belarusian prime minister Sergey Sidorski declared, "Trade turnover between Russia and Belarus grew by three-fold during ten years of integrated relations." Russian prime minister Mikhail Fradkov declared, "The growth of cooperation in the fuel and energy sector is especially impressive."

On Mar. 12, CEC secretary Nikolai Lozovik revealed that more than 700 observers have been registered, and added, "We have constructive and business-like relations with observers, including with those from the mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, although we cannot agree with all facts listed in their intermediate report." A European Union (EU) and a Georgian delegation were barred.

On Mar. 14, three independent Belarusian newspapers—Narodnaya volya, BDG Delovaya gazeta and Tovarishch—suspended publication after a Russian company based in Smolensk said it could no longer print them. Narodnaya volya deputy editor Svetlana Kalinkina accused Belarusian authorities of playing a role in the adverse situation.

Also on Mar. 14, the process of early voting—where at least 30 per cent of all ballots are expected to be cast—began in Belarus. Milinkevich urged his supporters to refrain from early voting, saying, "Your votes will simply be stolen."

On Mar. 15, Belarus expelled eight unofficial Scandinavian election observers. Two Swedes were arrested in Grodno and accused of violating a national ban on public opinion polls, and six Danes were arrested in Misnk.

On Mar. 16, Sukhorenko warned against protests, declaring, "We are obliged to announce that under the cover of elections a violent attempt to seize power is being planned in the country. The actions of those who take the risk of going into the streets to attempt to destabilize the situation will be viewed as terrorism. Not everyone going into the street will be declared a terrorist. But each person will be responsible for whatever actions he undertakes."

Milinkevich's campaign manager Sergei Kalyakin reacted to the statement, saying, "We are preparing no violent takeover. Our fear is that authorities will make provocative moves to justify using force against peaceful demonstrators."

OSCE member Julie Finchley discussed the democratic process in Belarus, declaring, "We must reiterate that free and fair elections do not just mean free and fair operations on election day, but—more importantly—the lead-up to the elections as well."

A poll released in mid-March by the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center put Lukashenko ahead with the support of 60 per cent of respondents, followed by Milinkevich with 11 per cent, Kozulin with five per cent, and Gaidukevich with one per cent.

On Mar. 17, nine Georgian members of parliament were detained at the Minsk airport, and two Polish journalists were refused entry into Belarus at the border.

Voting took place on Mar. 19. An exit poll conducted by the ECOOM Centre suggested Lukashenko would receive 84.2 per cent of all cast ballots, followed by Gaidukevich with 3.1 per cent, Milinkevich with two per cent, and Kozulin with 1.9 per cent. Milinkevich said the exit poll had been "falsified" and called on his supporters to assemble "peacefully" in Minsk.

Official results released on Mar. 20 gave Lukashenko 82.6 per cent of all cast ballots, followed by Milinkevich with 6.0 per cent, Gaidukevich with 3.5 per cent, and Kozulin with 2.3 per cent. Turnout was tabled at 92.6 per cent.

Also on Mar. 20, the OSCE issued its first report, stating the presidential ballot "did not meet the required international standards for free and fair elections" and calling it "severely flawed due to arbitrary use of state power and restrictions to basic rights."

In a television appearance, Lukashenko denounced "foreign pressure" as the motivation for the OSCE's "absurd and groundless" complaint. Milinkevich—who called for a second day of protests—declared, "In Belarus, we did not have an election but an unconstitutional seizure of power. I believe that Belarusians have awakened, overcome fear and can stand up for their future."

On Mar. 21, about 5,000 protesters staged fresh demonstrations in Minsk's central square for the third consecutive day. Milinkevich addressed the crowd, saying, "We will come here every day until March 25 to speak about freedom. Come on March 25. Bring your friends and acquaintances. We will gather many people." Some arrests were reported.

On Mar. 22, close to 300 people remained camped in Minsk's central square. Nina Shidlovskaya—Kozulin's spokesperson—criticized Milinkevich for reneging on a promise to send all his supporters home in preparation for the so-called Freedom Day protest on Mar. 25.

On Mar. 23, Georgia's Foreign Ministry released a statement on the Belarus ballot, which read, "International monitors from the OSCE and other democratic organizations were unanimous in their assessment of the elections as undemocratic. They said the elections were not free and fair, and were accompanied by bullying of opposition candidates and their supporters; that the media was biased, and mass rigging was reported at polling stations."

On Mar. 24, police officers stormed the opposition tent camp in Minsk, and detained close too 300 demonstrators. Milinvevich declared after the raid, "The authorities are destroying freedom, truth and justice. There was only enough democracy for three days and this shows the essence of the regime that has been established in Belarus." The opposition candidate renewed his call for a new vote, claiming Lukashenko's tally is inflated.

On Apr. 4, Lukashenko appeared on state television and rejected criticism of the election and its aftermath, saying, "We won't yield to anyone. We have our own policy."

On Apr. 5, Milinkevich visited European lawmakers in Strasbourg, urging for tougher sanctions against Belarusian officials, and stronger support for independent media and student organizations.

On Apr. 8, Lukashenko was sworn in for a new term as president. In his speech, the head of state declared, "(Protesters) want to humiliate our nation and turn it into another testing ground for a color revolution. Belarusians can't be strangled, they can't be manipulated."

Political Players

President: Aleksandr Lukashenko
Prime minister: Sergey Sidorski

The president is elected to a five-year term by popular vote.

Legislative Branch: The Nacionalnoje Sabranie (National Assembly) has two chambers. The Palata Predstaviteley (House of Representatives) has 110 members elected to four-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The Soviet Respubliki (Council of the Republic) has 64 members, 56 members indirectly elected and eight members appointed by the president.

Results of Last Election:

President - Mar. 19, 2006

	Vote%
Aleksandr Lukashenko	82.6%
Aleksandr Milinkevich - United Democratic Opposition	6.0%
Sergei Gaidukevich - Liberal Democratic Party	3.5%
Aleksandr Kozulin - Social Democratic Party	2.3%

House of Representatives - Oct. 17, 2004

	Seats
Communist Party (KPB)	8
Agrarian Party (APB)	3
Liberal-Democratic Party (LDP)	1
Independents / Non-partisans	95
=To be decided on Oct. 31=	=3=

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