Lukashenko – ‘We showed Poles how to conduct elections’

Votes counted in Belarus elections: photo - EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH

“Polish observers have learnt how to conduct elections,” Lukashenko said following accusations by four Polish observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) that the parliamentary elections in Belarus were undemocratic.

Polish MP Michael Szczerba alleged that in the run up to the ballot there had been a selective registration of candidates, a restricted access to the media and workers in some state-run firms being told who to vote for.

Despite six opposition parties boycotting the elections – including the two largest: the United Civic Party and the Belarusian People's Front – who told voters to stay at home, the Belarus election commission is claiming a turnout on Sunday of just under 75 percent, which was “better than expected” said the commission in Minsk.

The commission announced the election of 109 winning candidates, out of a lower house containing 110 MPs, all of whom represent pro-establishment parties loyal to President Lukashenko, who has been described by the US in the past as “the last dictator in Europe”.

"Elections took place in the course of which 109 deputies were elected ...," Lidiya Yermoshina, head of the election commission told a news conference early on Monday.

Lukashenko denounced the boycott by opposition parties, calling them “cowards who have nothing to say”.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said its observers found Sunday's vote was "not administered in an impartial manner".

"A free election depends on people being free to speak, organise and run for office, and we didn't see that in this campaign," said the OSCE's Matteo Mecacci, as quoted by the BBC. (pg)

source: PAP/Reuters