On January 26, the Belarusian state agency BELTA reported the results of an exit poll for the 2025 presidential election, which saw Alexander Lukashenko declared the winner with a staggering 87.6% of the vote. The survey, conducted on election day, showed that other candidates received only a fraction of the vote.

Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0
Sergei Syrankov garnered 2.7% - A Communist Party candidate who advocates for criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities and restoring monuments to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.
Oleg Gaidukevich securing 1.8% - Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, who supported Lukashenko in 2020, urged fellow candidates to 'make Lukashenko’s enemies nauseous.
Anna Kanopatskaya 1.6% - Claims to be the 'only democratic alternative to Lukashenko,' promising to advocate for the release of political prisoners while cautioning supporters against 'excessive initiative.'
Alexander Khyzhnyak 1.2% - Leader of the Republican Party of Labor and Justice, who headed a voting precinct in Minsk in 2020, pledged to prevent a 'repeat of disturbances.'
5.1% of respondents chose the option "against all"
These results, however, have been widely criticized as part of a sham election process, with many questioning the legitimacy of the vote. Lukashenko's claim to power continues to be disputed, as the Belarusian leader has faced international condemnation for suppressing opposition and limiting political freedoms. The exit poll results reflect a long-standing pattern of authoritarian control, with little room for genuine political competition in the country.
Belarus 2025 Election: Allegations of Fraud, Crackdown on Dissent, and Lukashenko's Grip on Power
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Why do Lukashenko’s opponents call the 2025 election a sham?
They argue the election is a sham due to the imprisonment or exile of opposition leaders and irregularities like unguarded ballot boxes during early voting. -
How many people were arrested during the crackdown after the 2020 protests?
More than 65,000 people were arrested, with thousands reportedly beaten. -
What is Lukashenko’s nickname, and why?
Lukashenko is often called "Europe’s Last Dictator" due to his iron-fisted rule since 1994 and his suppression of dissent and free speech. -
What role did Belarus play in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine?
Belarus allowed Moscow to use its territory to invade Ukraine and now hosts some of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons. -
How many political prisoners are currently held in Belarus?
Nearly 1,300 political prisoners remain incarcerated, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ales Bialiatski. -
What irregularities have been reported during early voting in the 2025 election?
Early voting saw unguarded ballot boxes, internet disruptions, and blocked VPN services. Additionally, polling stations removed curtains from ballot boxes, and photographing ballots was forbidden. -
How many eligible voters are there in Belarus, and how many have left the country?
There are 6.8 million eligible voters, but about 500,000 have left Belarus and cannot vote. -
What measures has Lukashenko taken to prevent mass protests during the election?
The vote was scheduled for wintry January to discourage street demonstrations, and authorities have detained activists and warned people against unsanctioned protests. -
How many journalists have been arrested in Belarus since 2020?
According to Reporters Without Borders, 397 journalists have been arrested, with 43 still in prison. -
What was the voter turnout during early voting?
A record 41.81% of voters cast their ballots during the five days of early voting.
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