"Challenges and Controversies Surrounding Belarusian Elections"

Belarus holds tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections, with President Lukashenko accusing the West of trying to undermine his government. The opposition, led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, calls for a boycott, dismissing the elections as a "senseless farce." The vote takes place amid a crackdown on dissent, with over 1,400 political prisoners behind bars and allegations of manipulation and coercion in the voting process. Observers note that the election lacks democratic legitimacy, and Belarus has refused to invite international monitors.