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Lukashenko on course for re-election in Belarus Belarus election: Lukashenko re-elected as president
(about 3 hours later)
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus is reported to be on course for a landslide victory in the country's presidential election. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has convincingly won his fifth term, electoral officials say citing preliminary results.
State media says an exit poll indicates that President Lukashenko secured nearly 83% of the vote. No other candidate achieved more than 5%. They say he secured nearly 84% of the vote in Sunday's election. None of three other candidates achieved more than 5%. The turnout was 86.75%.
Mr Lukashenko has governed the former Soviet republic almost unchallenged for 21 years. Mr Lukashenko, 61, has governed the former Soviet republic almost unchallenged for 21 years.
No veteran opposition leaders stood as they were not allowed to register.No veteran opposition leaders stood as they were not allowed to register.
They said that the vote would not be free or fair.They said that the vote would not be free or fair.
Three other candidates were on the ballot paper besides Mr Lukashenko. Dozens of opposition supporters held a protest march in the capital Minsk after the polls closed.
Belarusian TV on Sunday showed the president casting his vote in an election in which he is seeking a fifth consecutive term of office. They carried slogans that read "Boycott the dictatorship!" and "Lukashenko - go!"
The president was accompanied to the polling station by his youngest son, Nikolai, who has accompanied his father on numerous public occasions in recent years. Earlier on Sunday, Belarusian TV showed Mr Lukashenko casting his vote at one of the polling stations, as his youngest son Nikolai stood by. Nikolai has accompanied his father on numerous public occasions in recent years.
Critics have accused the president and his supporters of preventing the main opposition parties from building any public profile and restricting their access to the all-powerful state-owned media.Critics have accused the president and his supporters of preventing the main opposition parties from building any public profile and restricting their access to the all-powerful state-owned media.
This year's Nobel Literature Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, has warned that her country is a "soft dictatorship".This year's Nobel Literature Prize laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, has warned that her country is a "soft dictatorship".
She said Mr Lukashenko was a man connected to the Soviet era and was untrustworthy. None of her books is published in Belarus.She said Mr Lukashenko was a man connected to the Soviet era and was untrustworthy. None of her books is published in Belarus.
US officials have described Mr Lukashenko as "Europe's last dictator".
However, there have recently been signals - including the pardoning of six opposition leaders - that suggest Mr Lukashenko is seeking to improve relations with the West.
Belarus profileBelarus profile
Still Europe's last dictator?Still Europe's last dictator?
Why does President Lukashenko take his son to work?Why does President Lukashenko take his son to work?
Belarus country profileBelarus country profile
Last time a presidential election was held in Belarus - in 2010 - seven of the nine presidential candidates were arrested.Last time a presidential election was held in Belarus - in 2010 - seven of the nine presidential candidates were arrested.
One of them was only released this year following widespread international pressure.One of them was only released this year following widespread international pressure.
The candidates were accused of various offences, including the encouragement of violent protest and attempting to overthrow the state.The candidates were accused of various offences, including the encouragement of violent protest and attempting to overthrow the state.
The opposition says that there are no plans for post-election demonstrations similar to those held in December 2010.