Sham Election in Belarus Fails to Recreate Illusion of Legitimacy

Belarusian American communities and organizations condemn the sham presidential election held by the Lukashenka regime in Belarus on January 26, 2025. Belarusian people did not get to choose a president. The authorities staged an imitation of elections in an atmosphere of political intimidation and repression without respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights. No conditions for free and fair elections were met.

Lukashenka has not been a legitimate president since the 1996 illegal referendum and an attempted impeachment that was sabotaged by the Russian government. Lukashenka’s loss to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya in 2020 was more evident than ever and inspired hundreds of thousands of Belarusian citizens to join in a historic mass protest. Lukashenka resorted to brutal violence against the Belarusian people and sought Russia’s support. In return for Putin’s help, Lukashenka allowed Russia to increase its control over Belarus, facilitated Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and supported Russia’s war economy.

The imitation of the 2025 presidential campaign started amid ongoing mass political repressions that have deprived Belarusian society of the last vestiges of political rights and civil liberties. Every political opponent has been either arrested or forced out of the country.

Of 3,697 individuals recognized as political prisoners, more than 1,200 remain behind bars. Since 2020, over 11,000 people have been convicted for supporting the protests. The security forces have been raiding private homes, companies, and state enterprises to intimidate or root out anyone suspected of disloyalty to the regime. The regime destroyed the independent media and civil society and dissolved the independent political parties.

Lukashenka used transnational repression to intimidate, persecute, and take away the civil rights of the Belarusians who had to flee the country. In 2021, the Belarusian KGB hijacked an airliner in order to arrest a Belarusian journalist onboard. In 2023, Belarus stopped consular services for Belarusians abroad, forcing expatriates to return to Belarus to renew their passports or manage their property. The Belarusian authorities banned polling stations abroad, denying Belarusian citizens living outside of Belarus their voting rights.

Now, Lukashenka seeks to recreate the illusion of legitimacy that was shattered in 2020 by faking overwhelming voter support for his government. The regime carefully selected the other presidential hopefuls not to challenge Lukashenka but to highlight him as the only one worthy of the presidency. The Belarusian authorities handpicked the members of the election commissions. No credible international or Belarusian independent observers were granted access to the election process.

The Belarusian Americans appreciate the statements of the United States and international organizations condemning sham presidential election in Belarus.

Belarusian American communities and organizations recommend that the United States continues its current policy of non-recognition of the Lukashenka’s sham election and continues to engage and support Belarusian democratic organizations, including the office of the president-elect of Belarus Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The United States government should maintain and expand the sanctions regime against Belarus and Russia, demand the unconditional release of all political prisoners, and seek an end to the political repression and intimidation in Belarus.

Belarus Freedom Forum
Belarusians of Boston and New England
Belarusians in Chicago