A so-called presidential election is scheduled for 2025 in Belarus. In reality, this will be a sham election, as the people have been deprived of any alternative.
The electoral campaign is being conducted amid a deep political crisis in the Republic of Belarus. Aliaksandr Lukashenka is unlawfully holding onto power through repression against the Belarusian society, relying on support from the Kremlin.
More than 1,300 people are officially recognized as political prisoners, while potential presidential candidates have been unlawfully jailed or forced into exile.
Repression prevents Belarusians from seeing democratic candidates on the ballots or participating in rallies and campaigning.
Fearing another defeat in the election, the regime has revoked the registration of all opposition parties, shut down over 1,700 civil society organizations, and closed all independent media.
This situation takes Belarus even further away from a free election than ever before.
We demand an end to all forms of repression, the release of all political prisoners, the fulfillment of the right of all citizens of Belarus to fully participate in the election regardless of their place of residence, the guarantee of freedom of assembly, equal access to the media, and the conduct of the election in accordance with international OSCE standards and under supervision.
If the regime fails to meet these demands, we will consider the 2025 campaign a simulation of an electoral process.
We invite people to express their protest by voting against all those who steal our right to vote. We will also develop and propose other ways to express dissent, depending on how the situation unfolds.
By doing this, we will demonstrate that Belarusian society continues to stand against Lukashenka and demands a free and fair election.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus
Coordination Council of Belarus
