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Voting begins in Belarus election | Voting begins in Belarus election |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Voters in Belarus are going to the polls in parliamentary elections which the authorities say will be the most free in the country's history. | Voters in Belarus are going to the polls in parliamentary elections which the authorities say will be the most free in the country's history. |
Around 70 opposition candidates have been allowed to run for parliament, which is dominated by President Alexander Lukashenko's supporters. | Around 70 opposition candidates have been allowed to run for parliament, which is dominated by President Alexander Lukashenko's supporters. |
But correspondents say the poll is unlikely to challenge the president. | But correspondents say the poll is unlikely to challenge the president. |
Mr Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994, has been condemned by the US as the last dictator in Europe. | Mr Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994, has been condemned by the US as the last dictator in Europe. |
But he has insisted that the vote will meet democratic standards and has said he hopes some opposition candidates win seats. | But he has insisted that the vote will meet democratic standards and has said he hopes some opposition candidates win seats. |
All 110 seats of the lower house of parliament in Belarus are currently occupied by politicians who back Mr Lukashenko. | All 110 seats of the lower house of parliament in Belarus are currently occupied by politicians who back Mr Lukashenko. |
The opposition has united into two blocs for the election, having had no success in the 2004 poll. Most opposition groups boycotted the previous election in 2000. | The opposition has united into two blocs for the election, having had no success in the 2004 poll. Most opposition groups boycotted the previous election in 2000. |
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Minsk says opposition posters have been on display in the capital but that "suggestions that the regime has foresworn its authoritarian ways may be premature". | The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Minsk says opposition posters have been on display in the capital but that "suggestions that the regime has foresworn its authoritarian ways may be premature". |
Analysts have said the election campaign has been lacklustre, and that opposition parties have had little or no access to the mass media. | Analysts have said the election campaign has been lacklustre, and that opposition parties have had little or no access to the mass media. |
'Fraudulent' polls | 'Fraudulent' polls |
President's farming roots Hundreds of European observers are in Belarus to monitor the poll. | President's farming roots Hundreds of European observers are in Belarus to monitor the poll. |
They have expressed concern over some electoral procedures, including the opening of polling stations in the week before the election, which is viewed as a vote-rigging technique. | They have expressed concern over some electoral procedures, including the opening of polling stations in the week before the election, which is viewed as a vote-rigging technique. |
Observers do not yet know how much access they will have to the actual vote counting process. | Observers do not yet know how much access they will have to the actual vote counting process. |
As he cast his vote, opposition leader Alexandr Kozulin said he was taking part "to show the international community that the elections are fraudulent". | As he cast his vote, opposition leader Alexandr Kozulin said he was taking part "to show the international community that the elections are fraudulent". |
He said he had "a lot of facts and evidence" to prove the claim. | He said he had "a lot of facts and evidence" to prove the claim. |
Correspondents say Mr Lukashenko has been trying to improve relations with the West as his ties cool with neighbouring Russia. | Correspondents say Mr Lukashenko has been trying to improve relations with the West as his ties cool with neighbouring Russia. |
European and American diplomats have suggested that sanctions against Belarusian companies could be lifted if the election is conducted well. | |
Mr Kozulin said this would mean the Belarus government would have to introduce "concrete actions and real changes for the democratisation of Belarusian society". |