Belarus - February 2024

Belarus parliamentary and local elections held on 25 February were the first contest since the massive crackdown on all forms of political expression and activism that followed the 2020 elections. Only parties loyal to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka were permitted to participate and local activists reported that public employees were being forced to take part. Nobel laureate Viasna Human Rights Centre said elections were held under “conditions of incessant repression; in the virtual absence of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association; in a climate of total fear and political purge.” No election in independent Belarus has ever been judged free or fair, and for the first time the country refused to permit international observers to attend.

Sources: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Associated Press, Viasna, Belta, Belarusian Election Commission (Telegram)

Belarus held parliamentary elections on 25 February for 110 seats in the lower house and 12,000 seats on local councils. The opposition boycotted or was refused registration, meaning all 110 MPs are members of parties loyal to President Alyaksandr Lukashenka. 36 of 110 MPs in the incoming parliament are women, down from 44 in the previous parliament. The Election Commission reported 73 per cent turnout, which could not be independently verified. No independent election observers were present.

Sources: Deutsche Welle, Associated Press