2010 Belarusian presidential election

none Belarus 1995 presidential 2006 Belarusian presidential election 2006 2015 Belarusian presidential election 2015 19 December 2010 7,105,660 90.65% ( 2.29 pp) Medvedev and Lukashenko (cropped).jpeg Alexander Lukashenko Independent politician 5,130,557 80.44% Sannikov1.jpg Andrei Sannikov Independent politician 156,419 2.45% President Belarus 2010 presidential election map.svg Results by regionLukashenko: #309630ff 65–70% #005f00ff 80–85% Alexander Lukashenko Alexander Lukashenko Independent politician Independent politician The Belarusian presidential elections were held on 19 December 2010 and were condemned by international observers. Incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko secured his fourth term, defeating nine opposition candidates. President Lukashenko had been in office since 1994, consolidating his power and abolishing presidential term limits in a 2004 referendum. The United States and the European Union criticized him for a poor human rights record and authoritarian rule, especially noting the violent suppression of mass protests after his prior re-election in 2006. Relations between Belarus and Russia had deteriorated following the 2007 winter gas dispute, the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and subsequent conflicts over the recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This provided Alexander Lukashenko with an opportunity to normalize relations with the West. The further rapprochement depended on the election being recognized as free and fair by Western observers, which led Lukashenko to partially liberalize the electoral process. Of the ten candidates, incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner by the Central Election Commission with over 80% of the vote. After an opposition protest against electoral fraud was violently suppressed by riot police the night after the elections, hundreds of protesters and seven presidential candidates were arrested by the Belarusian KGB, including runner-up Andrei Sannikov. Western countries decried the election as a farce and an egregious affront to democracy and human rights. The United States and the European Union called for the release of all imprisoned candidates. By contrast, countries such as Syria, China, Vietnam, and Russia congratulated the re-elected incumbent. Background Lukashenko was elected as the first President of Belarus in 1994. In 1996, he held a referendum to adopt changes to the Constitution that consolidated his power. In 2004, he conducted another to abolish term limits. His rule has been described as authoritarian, and no elections since 1994 have been deemed free and fair by Western observers.'Hundreds of protesters arrested' in Belarus https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-12037486 BBC 20 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20250602000156/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-12037486 2 June 2025 The 2006 elections led to mass protests, labeled the "Jeans Revolution", as well as condemnation of Lukashenko's government and the introduction of sanctions by the USA and the EU.Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/9216/download?inline Federal Register https://web.archive.org/web/20230527065419/https://ofac.treasury.gov/media/9216/download?inline 27 May 2023 16 June 2006Council Common Position 2006/276/CFSP https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006E0276 Council of the European Union https://web.archive.org/web/20250625140055/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006E0276 25 June 2025 10 April 2006 Russia and Belarus formed the Union State in 1999, but initial enthusiasm for deeper integration stalled as early as 2003.Myers Steven Lee Hail, Hail to a Dysfunctional Union of Former Soviets The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/world/hail-hail-to-a-dysfunctional-union-of-former-soviets.html 27 June 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20180105001909/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/world/hail-hail-to-a-dysfunctional-union-of-former-soviets.html 5 January 2018 1 June 2003 Soon after the 2006 elections, Russia initiated an effort to obtain a share of Beltransgaz, the Belarusian gas monopoly.Today's Russian Newspapers https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/world/europe/19russiasumm.html 1 July 2025 The New York Times 19 April 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20250701181140/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/world/europe/19russiasumm.html 1 July 2025 This led to Lukashenko considering an energy alliance with neighboring, pro-Western Ukraine.Schwirtz Michael Putin Threatens to Widen Trade Embargo in Europe https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/world/europe/putin-threatens-to-widen-trade-embargo-in-europe.html The New York Times 24 November 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20221130060904/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/24/world/europe/putin-threatens-to-widen-trade-embargo-in-europe.html 30 November 2022 The conflict culminated in the 2006-2007 winter gas dispute, which led to a three-day cutoff of oil flow via the Druzhba pipeline.Putin and Merkel discuss energy - Europe https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/world/europe/21iht-union.4283780.html International Herald Tribune 21 January 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20221220205232/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/21/world/europe/21iht-union.4283780.html 20 December 2022 This experience led Lukashenko to declare his Russia-oriented foreign policy a mistake.Schwirtz Michael Belarus Threatens to Charge Russia for Facilities and Transportation http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/world/europe/09russiasumm.html The New York Times 8 February 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20150605042824/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/world/europe/09russiasumm.html 5 June 2015 Russia threatened to cut gas flow again in June 2007, and Lukashenko responded by saying he wouldn't kneel to the Kremlin.Russian press review: Aug. 3 https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/world/europe/03iht-03russiapress-review.6971086.html The New York Times 3 August 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20221216130149/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/world/europe/03iht-03russiapress-review.6971086.html 16 December 2022 During the Russo-Georgian War of 2008 Belarus didn't recognize the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the Russian ambassador in Belarus criticized Minsk for insufficient support of Russia.Barry Ellen Myers Steven Lee Diplomatic efforts trying to ease Georgia crisis https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/world/europe/15iht-georgia.2.15328467.html The New York Times 15 August 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20230201125047/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/world/europe/15iht-georgia.2.15328467.html 1 February 2023 Shortly after Lukashenko released the last political prisoners, in October travel sanctions by the EU against most Belarusian officials were suspendedCastle Stephen Warily, EU warms to Belarus https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/world/europe/11iht-union.4.16080336.html 8 July 2025 The New York Times 11 September 2008COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2008/844/CFSP of 10 November 2008 amending Common Position 2006/276/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against certain officials of Belarus http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:300:0056:0056:EN:PDF https://web.archive.org/web/20090214092613/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:300:0056:0056:EN:PDF 14 February 2009 11 November 2008 and Belarus started negotiations on loan from the IMF to deal with the 2008 financial crisis.Landler Mark West is in talks on credit to aid poorer nations https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/business/worldbusiness/24iht-24emerge.17215442.html The New York Times 24 October 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20221220062942/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/business/worldbusiness/24iht-24emerge.17215442.html 20 December 2022 Shortly after Lukashenko eased censorship and allowed printing of the two oppositions newspapers, Nasha Niva and Narodnaya Volya.“Народная воля” тэрмінова здабывае штрых-код https://www.svaboda.org/a/1352878.html RFE/RL https://web.archive.org/web/20250407092132/https://www.svaboda.org/a/1352878.html 7 April 2025 be "Narodnaya Volya" is urgently acquiring a barcode In May 2009, Belarus took part in the EU's Eastern Partnership summit.Belarus took part in the inaugural summit of the EU Eastern Partnership programme https://mfa.gov.by/en/press/news_mfa/ae123cc41268c1b8.html mfa.gov.by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus 8 July 2025 8 May 2009 In June, Russia engaged in a short-term trade dispute with Belarus, banning the import of dairy products.Barry Ellen ‘Milk War’ Strains Russia-Belarus Ties https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/europe/15belarus.html The New York Times 14 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20250121140139/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/europe/15belarus.html 21 January 2025 In April 2010, the ousted President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiyev found refuge in Belarus, for which Russian president Dmitry Medvedev sharply criticized his Belarusian counterpart.Бакиев — «холостой выстрел» Европы? https://mgimo.ru/about/news/experts/151022/ mgimo.ru MGIMO https://web.archive.org/web/20220714020918/https://mgimo.ru/about/news/experts/151022/ 14 July 2022 ru 24 April 2010 Bakiyev — "Europe's Misfire"? In June 2010, the two countries had another energy dispute, which led to a temporarily lower amount of oil shipped via Belarus and a delay in the signing of the Customs Union between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.Kramer Andrew E. Russia and 2 Neighbors Form Economic Union https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/business/global/06customs.html The New York Times 5 July 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20230128062337/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/business/global/06customs.html 28 January 2023 In domestic politics, Lukashenko limited coverage of Russian TV.OSCE 2011 12 Following recommendations from the OSCE, he liberalized election laws, making meetings and funding easier and allowing candidates to debate each other on TV.OSCE 2011 5-6 Western countries, on their part, limited funding of pro-democracy NGOs and promised further financial assistance in case the 2010 elections were free and fair according to Western monitors.Schwirtz Michael In Belarus Campaign, a Veneer of Pluralism Emerges With the West in Mind https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/world/europe/19belarus.html The New York Times 18 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20231211053951/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/world/europe/19belarus.html 11 December 2023 Electoral system Presidential elections in Belarus were conducted via two-round system. Candidates were required to get 50% of all ballots cast to win in the first round, otherwise the second round should be held. For an election to be valid, over 50% of registered voters must participate.OSCE 2011 5 To be eligible for President one must be Belarusian-born citizen at least 35 years old and resided in the country at least 10 years prior to the election.OSCE 2011 9 The election date was set by the lower house of parliament. It had to be scheduled no later than five months and conducted no later than two months before the end of the President's current term.Конституция Республики Беларусь. Текст правового акта с изменениями и дополнениями по состоянию на 5 декабря 2007 года http://www.levonevski.net/pravo/razdelb/text1064/page2.html levonevski.net https://web.archive.org/web/20220617151920/http://www.levonevski.net/pravo/razdelb/text1064/page2.html 17 June 2022 ru Constitution of the nRepublic of Belarus. Text of the legal act with amendments and additions as of December 5, 2007" The 2010 election followed this timeline:Выборы Президента Республики Беларусь в 2010 году https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20210506221713/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf 6 May 2021 ru Presidential Elections in the Republic of Belarus in 2010 3-8 + 14 September 2010 The House of Representatives officially announced the election date 27 September 2010 Registration of initiative groups by the CECСВЕДЕНИЯ о регистрации инициативных групп избирателей по выдвижению кандидатов в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved1.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20210511022105/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved1.pdf 11 May 2021 ru Information on the registration of initiative groups of voters for the nomination of candidates for President of the Republic of Belarus 18 November 2010 Registration of candidates by the CEC 19 December 2010 Election Day 24 December 2010 The CEC declared Alexander Lukashenko as the elected President 21 January 2011 Inauguration Day Candidates Death of Aleh Byabenin In the first week of September 2010, candidate Andrei Sannikov'shttp://belarus.tol.org/?p=185 Life Under Lukashenka 1 December 2010 Belarus.tol.org 22 April 2011 12 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110812080303/http://belarus.tol.org/?p=185 dead campaign press secretary Aleh Byabenin was found hanged. Biabienin had been a key member of Sannikov's campaign, and was also director and co-founder of Charter97 – an opposition group and website and one of the few outlets for information on opposition candidates during the election.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/08/belarus-activist-oleg-bebenin Belarus under pressure to investigate death of media activist Oleg Bebenin Harding Luke 8 September 2010 Guardian UK 22 April 2011 The official investigation ruled the death as suicide, but Sannikov expressed suspicion; saying that Biabienin had been in good mental health, there was no suicide note, and there were unexplained injuries on the body. Lukashenko President Lukashenko (who had been serving his third term), when addressing the press in February 2007, stated that his health permitting, he would run in 2011.MosNews. Rightist Group Promote Belarus Dictator Lukashenko as Russian Presidential Candidate https://web.archive.org/web/20070929152627/http://www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews/022007/218.html 2007-09-29 . Published February 28, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2007. According to the result of a referendum in 2004, Lukashenko was declared the first President of Belarus and therefore had no term limits. On 4 May 2010, in an interview with Reuters, he stated: "I have not yet decided whether I will run [...] There are no factors now that would force me to refuse to participate".http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/05/05/ic_news_259_330656/ Lukashenka considers holding next presidential election in early 2011 5 May 2010 9 July 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150710162255/http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/05/05/ic_news_259_330656/ 10 July 2015 "President Lukashenko sees no reasons to refuse to participate in presidential election" https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163531/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=527138 2011-07-06 , May 5, 2010, BELTA Official registration information Name Occupation, party Number of people in initiative group Number of signatures accepted http://ucpbel.org/news/elections-2010/62070-2010-11-18 Кандыдатамі ў прэзідэнты Беларусі зарэгістраваныя 10 чалавек Ucpbel.org 2010-11-18 2010-12-22 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110728141324/http://ucpbel.org/news/elections-2010/62070-2010-11-18 2011-07-28 Ryhor Kastusiou Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian People's Front 1,306Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Костусѐва Григория Андреевича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063229/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/8.pdf 2010-10-08 100,870 Alexander Lukashenko president 8,403http://www.rec.gov.by/sites/default/files/pdf/Elections-PRB-kand2.pdf Информация о кандидатах в Президенты Республики Беларусь - Лукашенко Александр Григорьевич 2012-12-04 2016-03-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231221/http://www.rec.gov.by/sites/default/files/pdf/Elections-PRB-kand2.pdf dead 1,110,149 Ales Michalevic lawyer, leader of the Modernization Union 1,795Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Михалевича Алексея Анатольевича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063122/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/6.pdf 2010-10-08 111,399 Uladzimir Nyaklyayew poet, leader of the "Tell the Truth!" movement (Руху "Гавары праўду!") 3,271Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Некляева Владимира Прокофьевича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20110706164038/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/2.pdf 2011-07-06 180,073 Jaroslav Romanchuk economist, deputy chairman of the United Civil Party of BelarusПалітрада Аб'яднанай грамадзянскай партыі назвала свайго кандыдата ў прэзідэнты be 1,461Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Романчука Ярослава Чеславовича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063048/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/3.pdf 2010-10-08 123,206 Vital Rymasheuski co-chairman of the Belarusian Christian Democracy partyhttp://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/05/03/ic_articles_259_167670 Milinkevich announces presidential bid 9 July 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150710171605/http://naviny.by/rubrics/english/2010/05/03/ic_articles_259_167670 10 July 2015 1,698Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Рымашевского Виталия Анатольевича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20110718094454/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/10.pdf 2011-07-18 102,817 Andrei Sannikov leader of the "For a European Belarus" movement"Sannikau Throws His Hat in the Ring", Eurasia Daily Monitor, The Jamestown Foundation — March 23, 2010 — Volume 7, Issue 56 (Руху "За Еўрапейскую Беларусь"), former Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus 2,001Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Санникова Андрея Олеговича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063059/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/5.pdf 2010-10-08 142,023 Mikola Statkevich chairman of the Belarusian Social Democratic Party 1,545Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Статкевича Николая Викторовича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063017/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/12.pdf 2010-10-08 111,159 Viktar Ciareschanka economist 1,301Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Терещенко Виктора Ивановича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063005/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/1.pdf 2010-10-08 109,012 Dzmitry Wus lawyer and businessman 1,355Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Усса Дмитрия Ивановича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063157/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/7.pdf 2010-10-08 104,102 Uładzimier Pravalski businessman 186Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Провальского Владимира Александровича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063037/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/16.pdf 2010-10-08 118 Piatro Barysaŭ pensioner 110Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Борисова Петра Семеновича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063033/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/15.pdf 2010-10-08 Supported RymašeŭskiІна Студзінская http://www.svaboda.org/content/article/2183908.html Прэтэндэнтаў засталося шаснаццаць - Радыё Свабода © 2010 Радыё Свабода Svaboda.org 2010-10-07 2010-12-22 Sergei Gaidukevich Liberal Democratic Party 10,443Сведения о регистрации инициативных групп избирателей по выдвижению кандидатов в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved1.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20250129205734/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved1.pdf 29 January 2025 ru Information on the registration of voter initiative groups for nominating candidates for President of the Republic of Belarus Withdrew his candidacyhttp://www.svobodanews.ru/archive/ru_news_zone/20101008/17/17.html?id=2184354 Новости Svobodanews.ru 2010-12-22 Jury Hłušakoŭ Belarusian Green Party 243Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Глушакова Юрия Эдуардовича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063053/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/4.pdf 2010-10-08 Withdrew his candidacyhttp://news.tut.by/politics/202970.html https://web.archive.org/web/20101101003337/http://news.tut.by/politics/202970.html dead November 1, 2010 TUT.BY | НОВОСТИ - Юрий Глушаков снимает свою кандидатуру - Политика - 29.10.2010, 11:00 News.tut.by 2010-12-22 Siarhiej Ivanoŭ unemployed 129Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Иванова Сергея Георгиевича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063021/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/13.pdf 2010-10-08 Withdrew his candidacyhttp://news.tut.by/politics/203095.html TUT.BY | НОВОСТИ - Число участников президентской кампании сократилось до одиннадцати человек - Новость дня - 30.10.2010, 12:29 News.tut.by 2010-10-30 2010-12-22 2010-11-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20101101205526/http://news.tut.by/politics/203095.html dead Ivan Kulikoŭ scientist 107Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Куликова Ивана Семеновича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063029/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/14.pdf 2010-10-08 Withdrew his candidacy Siarhiej Ryžoŭ manager 123Список членов инициативной группы граждан по выдвижению Рыжова Сергея Владимировича кандидатом в Президенты Республики Беларусь https://web.archive.org/web/20101008063042/http://www.rec.gov.by/pdf/prb2010/17.pdf 2010-10-08 Withdrew his candidacyhttp://belaruspartisan.org/bp-forte/?page=100&backPage=13&news=69556&newsPage=0 Белорусский Партизан: Сергей Рыжов сошел с дистанции Belaruspartisan.org 2010-10-21 2010-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20110725053842/http://belaruspartisan.org/bp-forte/?page=100&backPage=13&news=69556&newsPage=0 2011-07-25 dead Alaksandar Milinkievic, of the "For Freedom" movement (Руху "За Свабоду"), initially announced his bid, but canceled it in September.http://by.milinkevich.org/massmedia/data/ic_94/6343/ Медыі пра Рух By.milinkevich.org 2010-09-20 2010-12-22 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110727083440/http://by.milinkevich.org/massmedia/data/ic_94/6343/ 2011-07-27 The CEC issued a warning to Uladzimir Nyaklyayew's "Say the Truth!" movement for violating the Electoral Legislation when his organisation gathered signatures of ineligible constituents for "subscription lists."http://belarus.world-countries.net/archives/67737 The Central Electoral Commission has warned the initiative group of Nyaklyaeu | Belarus Belarus.world-countries.net 2010-10-14 2010-12-22 dead https://archive.today/20120525130531/http://belarus.world-countries.net/archives/67737 2012-05-25 There were rumors that only three candidates besides Lukashenko managed to gather the 100,000 required signatures.Ioffe Grigory Авторитаризм без олигархии Pro et Contra 2011 15 52 31 https://carnegie-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/files/ProetContra_52_29-49.pdf Authoritarianism without oligarchy Carnegie Moscow Center ru 1560-8913 Campaign thumb|right|310px|Official government-printed "invitation to participate" in the 2010 presidential election. Conduct Campaigning officially began on 19 November. Candidates held one-to-one meetings across the country and could use Belarusian state media for their TV and radio broadcasts Telegraf By. Presidential Candidates to Begin CampaigningJuly 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes . Published 19 November 2010. They could also participate in a live media debate, which occurred for the first time since 1994.Charter 97, Andrei Sannikov to speak on TV at 7:00 pm November 24OSCE 2011 13 However, contrary to the Electoral Code, these debates were not aired during primetime.OSCE 2011 13 The media environment remained biased in favor of Lukashenko; he received 90% of coverage both on state TV and in state newspapers.OSCE 2011 14 Changes in the law allowed candidates to establish their individual campaign funds and use their own money or supporters' contributions to fill them. Lukashenko received €30,500 this way, Nyaklyayew €25,000, and Sannikov €4,200. Additionally, all candidates were given €19,500 for print campaign materials.OSCE 2011 11 During the election, there was no need to obtain permission for mass events; only notifying authorities was required.OSCE 2011 25 Lukashenko conducted 57 mass events, Nyaklyayew 40, and Sannikov 23, while other candidates held no more than a dozen.Выборы Президента Республики Беларусь в 2010 году https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20210506221713/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf 6 May 2021 ru Presidential Elections in the Republic of Belarus in 2010 61-62 On 15 December 2010, Andrei Sannikov filed two legal complaint applications with the Central Election Commission, demanding the withdrawal of Alexander Lukashenko's registration for electoral violations and the removal of Lidia Yermoshina, the chairwoman of the CEC, for conflict of interest.http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422 Presidential Elections in Belarus are Rigged and Falsified Even Before the Elections on December 19th Batiukov Michael 16 December 2010 American Chronicle 22 April 2011 8 February 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190208084130/http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/205422 dead Both complaints were denied. Russia The run-up to the campaign was marked by a series of Russian media attacks upon the incumbent Alexander Lukashenko.RFE/RL. Has Moscow Had Enough Of Belarus's Lukashenka?. Published July 19, 2010. NTV television broadcast throughout July a multi-part documentary entitled 'The Godfather' highlighting the suspicious disappearance of opposition leaders Yury Zacharanka and Viktar Hanchar, businessman Anatol Krasoŭski and journalist Dzmitry Zavadski during the late 1990s, as well as highlighting a statement Lukashenko had made seemingly praising Adolf Hitler.RFE/RL. Is Lukashenka In The Kremlin's Crosshairs?. Published July 8, 2010. Lukashenko referred to the media attack as "dirty propaganda".RFE/RL. Lukashenka Calls Russian Media Attacks 'Dirty Propaganda' . Published July 19, 2010. He also accused Russia of funding his opposition, to which Dmitry Medvedev responded by saying that Lukashenko lacked basic human decency. Broadcasts of Russian media critical of the Belarusian President were censored.OSCE 2011 12 Opinion polls Prior to the election, Belarusian pollster IISEPS regularly asked citizens to indicate their preferred candidate if elections were held tomorrow. + Electoral rating of Lukashenko (open question)Сверхвласть по-белорусски https://www.old.iiseps.org/03-09-05.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250614180652/https://www.old.iiseps.org/03-09-05.html 14 June 2025 ru Superpower, Belarusian StyleКто заполнит рейтинговый вакуум? https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-11-02.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250614190536/https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-11-02.html 14 June 2025 Who will fill the rating vacuum? Apr 2006 Sep 2006 Dec 2007 Mar 2008 Jun 2008 Sep 2008 Dec 2008 Mar 2009 Oct 2010 Dec 2010 60.3% 44.9% 39.9% 42.5% 38.9% 42.5% 40.2% 39.2% 44.0% 53.0% Polls typically include those who do not vote, meaning a candidate's stated share of votes will be lower than what would be observed in an actual election. For instance, 51.1% in a December poll translates to 58.0% at the ballot.Президентские выборы-2010: "Пейзаж после битвы http://www.old.iiseps.org/12-10-01.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250627161001/http://www.old.iiseps.org/12-10-01.html 27 June 2025 ru December 2011 Presidential Elections-2010: "The Landscape After the Battle" The Central Election Commission said that all nine opposition figures were likely to get less than half the vote total incumbent Lukashenko would get. Nine organizations were allowed to conduct opinion polls about the elections, among them SOCIUM and TNS-Ukraine, but not IISEPS.Сведения об организациях, которые имеют право проводить социологические опросы, относящиеся к выборам Президента Республики Беларусь https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved15.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20250129205509/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-sved15.pdf 29 January 2025 ru Information about organizations authorized to conduct sociological surveys related to the Presidential elections of the Republic of Belarus + Pollster Date Lukashenko Nyaklyayew Sannikov Romanchuk Statkevich IISEPSИ снова о расколе http://old.iiseps.org/06-11-08.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20220127052524/http://old.iiseps.org/06-11-08.html 27 January 2022 ru June 2011 And again about the split"post" 2-12 June 2011 37.0% 29.5% IISEPSЕвропейский прорыв https://www.old.iiseps.org/03-11-10.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250614181222/https://www.old.iiseps.org/03-11-10.html 14 June 2025 ru March 2011 European Breakthrough"post" 2-12 March 2011 46.6% 9.6% 6.3% IISEPS"post" Who did you vote for in the presidential elections on December 19? 21-31 December 2010 51.1% 8.3% 6.1% 3.2% 1.7% EcooMExit poll 2010 http://ecoom.org/en/node/261 ecoom.org EcooM https://web.archive.org/web/20170423014249/http://ecoom.org/en/node/261 23 April 2017Has ties to the governmentWilson Andrew Belarus The Last European Dictatorship 2021 Yale University Press 9780300259216 301 https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/Belarus/_qvLhvGNx3wC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=and+almost+perfectly+accurate+79.1+per+cent+for+Lukashenka&pg=PP202&printsec=frontcover Exit poll 79.1% 2.4% 2.6% 3.1% 0.8% INSIDE (Russia)Экзит-полл: Лукашенко получил 38,1% голосов http://udf.by/news/politic/36698-ekzit-poll-lukashenko-poluchil-381-golosov.html https://web.archive.org/web/20110512191053/http://udf.by/news/politic/36698-ekzit-poll-lukashenko-poluchil-381-golosov.html 12 May 2011 ru 19 December 2011 Exit poll: Lukashenko received 38.1% of the votes Exit poll 38.1% 11.7% 11.6% 9.9% 3.8%SOCIUM Exit poll 40.2% 19.8% 11.5% 5.8% 7.2%TNS-UkraineЖалоба Григория Костусева в Центризбирком и генпрокуратуру http://naviny.by/rubrics/elections/2010/12/23/ic_articles_623_171789/ naviny.by https://web.archive.org/web/20110206182424/http://naviny.by/rubrics/elections/2010/12/23/ic_articles_623_171789/ 6 February 2011 ru 23 December 2010 Grigory Kostusev's Complaint to the Central Election Commission and the Prosecutor General's Office Exit poll 42.2% 17.7% 13.2% 4.2% 8.9%Official results 19 December 2010 80.4% 1.8% 2.5% 2.0% 1.1%SOCIUMСоцопрос: Лукашенко не сможет победить в первом туре http://dec19.org/?p=2364 dec19.org https://web.archive.org/web/20110222013001/http://dec19.org/?p=2364 22 February 2011 16 December 2011 Opinion poll: Lukashenko will not be able to win in the first round 1-10 December 2010 35.2% 18.4% 9.9% 6.2% 5.1%SOCIUMРейтинг Лукашенко - 31,4% http://belaruspartisan.org/bp-forte/?page=100&backPage=13&news=70518&newsPage=0 belaruspartisan.org https://web.archive.org/web/20101119114258/http://belaruspartisan.org/bp-forte/?page=100&backPage=13&news=70518&newsPage=0 19 November 2010 ru 5 November 2011 Lukashenko's rating - 31.4% 11-22 October 2010 31.4% 11.2% 9.8% 6.0% 3.1% IISEPSПрезидентские выборы-2010: "Пейзаж перед битвой" https://www.old.iiseps.org/10-10-10.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250614190220/https://www.old.iiseps.org/10-10-10.html 14 June 2025 ru October 2010 Presidential Elections-2010: "The Landscape Before the Battle""multiple" Respondents were asked whether they were willing to vote for a candidate, with the option to choose more than one. 14-24 October 2010 48.2% 16.8% 8.6% 6.1% 5.8% IISEPSПрезидентская кампания-2010: Электоральный ландшафт https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-10-11.html https://web.archive.org/web/20250614185757/https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-10-11.html 14 June 2025 ru September 2010 Presidential Campaign 2010: Electoral Landscape"multiple" 2-12 September 2010 43.6% 5.1% 3.0% 2.6% 2.8% IISEPSПолитическая география Беларуси http://old.iiseps.org/06-10-16.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250602201432/http://old.iiseps.org/06-10-16.html 2 June 2025 ru June 2010 Political Geography of Belarus 2-12 June 2010 48.3% 1.6% 0.5% 1.0% 0.8% According to a December 2010 IISEPS poll, 57.5% believed that Lukashenka had won in the first round while 23.5% disagreed.Нашествие ревизоров http://old.iiseps.org/06-11-02.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20220127051957/http://old.iiseps.org/06-11-02.html 27 January 2022 ru December 2010 The Invasion of Inspectors The poll also asked about a potential second round, finding that 57.1% would have voted for Lukashenko and 23.9% for Nyaklyayew. June 2011 poll from IISEPS also provided detailed voter demographics + Voter demographics Demographic subgroup Lukashenko Other candidate % of total vote Total vote 55.6% 44.4% 100% Gender Men 42.1% 57.9% 45.4% Women 66.3% 33.7% 54.6% Age 18–29 years old 39.9% 60.1% 23.2% 30–49 years old 41.4% 58.6% 36.3% 50 and older 72.0% 28.0% 40.5%Educational attainment Less than general secondary 89.4% 10.6% 13.4% General secondary 54.1% 45.9% 36.7% Vocational or higher 45.8% 54.2% 49.9%Employment Private 27.1% 72.9% 23.4% Public 53.6% 46.4% 40.4% Student 39.2% 60.8% 6.1% Retiree 83.5% 16.5% 25.1% Region City of Minsk 39.4% 60.6% 19.4% Minsk 36.3% 63.7% 15.1% Brest 62.8% 37.2% 14.4% Grodno 76.6% 23.4% 11.3% Vitebsk 53.2% 46.8% 13.3% Mogilev 67.1% 32.9% 11.7% Gomel 78.9% 21.1% 14.8% Area type >50,000 pop. 53.3% 46.7% 56.4% Rural 58.5% 41.5% 43.6% How would you vote in a Belarus-Russia unification referendum today? For 57.6% 42.4% 31.4% Against 47.0% 53.0% 47.8% Would not participate 79.0% 21.0% 12.9% How would you vote in a EU membership referendum today? For 27.5% 72.5% 45.1% Against 77.0% 23.0% 32.4% Would not participate 81.0% 19.0% 14.9% After the election, Belarus experienced an economic crisis for which 61.2% blamed the President personally. This led to a collapse in his electoral rating, from 53% in December 2010 to 20.5% in September 2011.Кто заполнит рейтинговый вакуум? https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-11-02.html IISEPS https://web.archive.org/web/20250614190536/https://www.old.iiseps.org/09-11-02.html 14 June 2025 ru September 2011 Who will fill the rating vacuum? Election Day The Central Election Commission of Belarus (CEC) said it was ready to cooperate with the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in monitoring the election.http://www.mfa.gov.by/en/press/news/2003-05-20-5.html Belarus Central Electoral Commission Ready to Cooperate with OSCE ODIHR Mfa.gov.by 2003-05-20 2010-12-22 December 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes Though opposition figures alleged intimidationhttp://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/12/20101219113519102551.html Activist fears over Belarus vote - Europe Al Jazeera English 2010-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20101223053302/http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2010/12/20101219113519102551.html 23 December 2010 live and "dirty tricks" were being played, Al Jazeera reported that the election was seen as comparatively open as a result of desire to improve relations with both Europe at-large and the United States.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101218142317982604.html 'Dirty tricks' taint Belarus vote - Europe Al Jazeera English 2010-12-18 2010-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20101220044914/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101218142317982604.html 20 December 2010 live The elections were observed by 36,096 domestic and 1,032 international observers,OSCE 2011 18 including 490 from the OSCE. The OSCE praised Lukashenko for improving the security of early voting;OSCE 2011 6 in the 2010 elections, 27.9% of eligible voters cast their ballots this way.OSCE 2011 18 On Election Day, observers positively assessed the voting process at 94% of observed polling stations.OSCE 2011 20 However, less than one percent of electoral commission members were appointed by the opposition,OSCE 2011 8 and vote counting was assessed negatively in half of the cases.OSCE 2011 20 These shortcomings led to the conclusion that Belarus failed to meet its OSCE commitments regarding the election.OSCE 2011 1 The Russia-led CIS delegation assessed the election as free and fair.Заявление Миссии наблюдателей от Содружества Независимых Государств по результатам наблюдения за подготовкой и проведением выборов Президента Республики Беларусь https://eccis.org/page/18724 eccis.org 9 July 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250709191950/https://eccis.org/page/18724 9 July 2025 ru Statement by the CIS Observer Mission on the Results of Monitoring the Preparation and Conduct of the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Belarus Results Alexander Lukashenko Independent 5130557 Andrei Sannikov Independent 156419 Jaroslav Romanchuk United Civic Party 127281 Ryhor Kastusiou BPF Party 126999 Uladzimir Nyaklyayew Independent 114581 Viktar Ciareščanka Independent 76764 Vital Rymasheuski Belarusian Christian Democracy 70515 Mikola Statkevich Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Assembly) 67583 Ales Michalevic Independent 65748 Dzmitry Wus Independent 25117 Against all 416925 62542 7105660 REC Results by region + Region Lukashenko Sannikov Romanchuk Kastusiou Nyaklyayew Ciareščanka Rymasheuski Statkevich Michalevic Wus Brest 82.22% 2.77% 1.89% 1.45% 1.59% 1.08% 1.37% 1.03% 1.25% 0.49% Vitebsk 83.12% 3.10% 1.58% 1.67% 1.76% 1.20% 1.12% 1.03% 0.97% 0.38% Gomel 82.86% 0.99% 0.92% 2.96% 0.91% 0.73% 0.77% 0.69% 0.73% 0.27% Grodno 82.99% 2.86% 2.97% 1.05% 1.93% 1.16% 1.29% 0.96% 0.87% 0.36% Minsk 81.52% 1.53% 1.69% 1.60% 1.23% 1.18% 0.91% 0.94% 1.04% 0.34% Mogilev 85.65% 2.71% 1.50% 0.94% 1.91% 1.13% 0.93% 0.95% 0.79% 0.24% City of Minsk 68.31% 3.46% 3.38% 3.50% 3.17% 1.86% 1.37% 1.71% 1.44% 0.62% Belarus80.44%2.45%2.00%1.99%1.80%1.20%1.11%1.06%1.03%0.39%Source: Central Election CommissionВыборы Президента Республики Беларусь в 2010 году https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf Central Election Commission of Belarus https://web.archive.org/web/20210506221713/https://rec.gov.by/uploads/folderForLinks/elections-prb-book.pdf 6 May 2021 ru Presidential Elections in the Republic of Belarus in 2010 75,77,81,85,89,93,97,100 Aftermath Protests and crackdown 2010 Belarusian protests thumb|Special police forces surrounding protestors in Minsk A large protest rally was organized the evening after the election at October Square in the center of downtown Minsk. This square had historically been the site of large protests, such as the violent suppression of the Jeans Revolution that took place after the disputed 2006 presidential election. However, riot police had cordoned off the square before the event, and people instead gathered at the nearby Liberty Square. While walking to the rally with about a hundred other people, presidential candidates Uladzimir Nyaklyayew and Mikola Statkevich were attacked by armed men dressed in black.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12037486 'Hundreds of protesters arrested' in Belarus BBC News 2010-12-20 2010-12-20 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 Police break up opposition rally after Belarus poll BBC News 2010-12-19 2010-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20101219045049/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 19 December 2010 live Nyaklyayew was beaten to unconsciousness and hospitalized for head injuries. Statkievič later claimed they were attacked by Belarus special forces.http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101219/161845788.html https://web.archive.org/web/20101224170436/http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20101219/161845788.html dead December 24, 2010 Two Belarus presidential candidates say attacked by special forces RIA Novosti 2010-12-19 2010-12-19 http://www.gazeta.ru/news/lastnews/2010/12/19/n_1624389.shtml Спецназ избил двух кандидатов в президенты Белоруссии; Некляев без сознания Gazeta.ru 2010-12-19 2010-12-19 During the rally up to 30,000 people protested against Lukashenko, chanting, "Out!," "Long Live Belarus!" and other such slogans.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/2010122041217643974.html Belarus president re-elected Al Jazeera English 2010-12-22 A group of protesters tried to storm a principal government building, smashing windows and doors before riot police pushed them back.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 Protesters try to storm government HQ in Belarus BBC News 2010-12-20 2010-12-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20101220044005/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12029814 20 December 2010 live Candidate Vital Rymasheuski blamed "drunk provocateurs" for the violence. Lukashenka Claims Victory Amid Mounting Criticism Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 2010-12-20 https://web.archive.org/web/20161224144222/http://www.rferl.org/a/belarus_lukashenka_election_vote_crackdown_fraud/2253668.html/ 24 December 2016 live https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus_lukashenka_election_vote_crackdown_fraud/2253668.html/ According to a protester, the demonstrators were largely peaceful and that it was a separate "group of people" who attacked the government building – suggesting also a provocation of force by Belarusian authorities.Protesters claimed they heard a police officer order someone to break windows in the government building, which they believe proves provocation.Площадь-2010. Онлайн-репортаж http://naviny.by/rubrics/elections/2010/12/19/ic_articles_623_171731 naviny.by BelaPAN https://web.archive.org/web/20241127182846/http://naviny.by/rubrics/elections/2010/12/19/ic_articles_623_171731 27 November 2024 ru 19 December 2010 Square-2010. Online Report According to a protest participant (who is also director of the Belarus Free Theatre), thousands of demonstrators were beaten by riot police, and the square was left spattered with blood. She stated she was forced into a prison van and made to lie face down, while prison guards threatened her with murder and rape if she moved.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belarus/8224956/Police-guard-threatened-to-rape-Belarus-Free-Theatre-director-after-election-protest.html Police guard threatened to rape Belarus Free Theatre director after election protest Oliphant Roland 25 December 2010 The Daily Telegraph 22 April 2011 London https://web.archive.org/web/20110311053243/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belarus/8224956/Police-guard-threatened-to-rape-Belarus-Free-Theatre-director-after-election-protest.html 11 March 2011 live Andrei Sannikov and his wife Iryna Khalip were among those attacked by police during the rally; and according to eyewitness statements gathered by Charter 97, Sannikov was singled out from the crowd by the OMON for a beating: "Andrei was beaten by truncheons while he was lying. He was beaten on the head [...] all over the body. Andrei was lying and trying to protect himself with his arms. No one was allowed to come near him, so that people could not defend Sannikov."http://charter97.org/en/news/2011/2/8/35866/ How Beating of Andrei Sannikov Took Place. Eyewitnesses' Account (Video, Photo) 2 February 2011 Charter97 20 April 2011 Lukashenko criticised the protesters, accusing them of "banditry" and saying that "the vandals and hooligans lost their human face. They simply turned into beasts. You saw how our law-enforcers behaved. They stood firm and acted exclusively within the bounds of the law. They defended the country and people from barbarism and ruin. There will be no revolution or criminality in Belarus." He also added that he could not imagine what more he could have done to make the election more democratic.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12048520 Belarus jails 600 activists over election unrest BBC News 2010-12-21 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20101223063614/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12048520 23 December 2010 live According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, at least 85 police officers were admitted to the hospital for treatment.Shattering Hopes Post-Election Crackdown in Belarus http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/belarus0311Web.pdf Human Rights Watch https://web.archive.org/web/20110317095504/http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/belarus0311Web.pdf 17 March 2011 1,9 March 2011 Censorship, raids Several websites of the opposition and opposition candidates were blocked or hacked.http://www.gazeta.ru/news/lastnews/2010/12/19/n_1624281.shtml Хакерская атака главного оппозиционного сайта Белоруссии осуществлялась из Петербурга Gazeta.ru 2010-12-19 2010-12-19 Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google Talk, many email services and LiveJournal were also blocked.http://www.unian.net/eng/news/news-412333.html Facebook, Twitter, YouTube blocked in Minsk Interfax-Ukraine 2010-12-20 2010-12-20 The headquarters of Charter97 was stormed by the State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (known by the Russian acronym "KGB") and all its staff were arrested.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/world/europe/22belarus.html Clashes in Belarus Show Resilience of Both Sides The New York Times 2010-12-21 2010-12-23 Michael Schwirtz https://web.archive.org/web/20101222072513/http://www.nytimes.com//2010//12//22//world//europe//22belarus.html December 22, 2010 live Its editor-in-chief Natalla Radzina was briefly imprisoned on a charge of "organizing mass disorder".http://www.cpj.org/awards/2011/natalya-radina-belarus.php Natalya Radina, Belarus 2011 Committee to Protect Journalists 17 January 2012 Radina was released in January 2011 on the condition that she leave Minsk; she fled to Moscow before receiving asylum in Lithuania, where she continues to manage Charter 97. The offices of Polish-funded broadcasters Belsat TV and European Radio for Belarus had also been raided, while relatives of arrested prisoners were denied access to them.Belarusian KGB Crackdown Continues, TheNews.pl, 27 December 2010 Arrests Up to 700 opposition activists, including 7 presidential candidates, were arrested in the post election crackdown. Furthermore, at least 25 journalists were arrested;http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/93334/ Belarus: 7 presidential candidates face 15 years Kyiv Post 2010-12-22 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110119193447/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/93334/ 19 January 2011 live a detained Russian press photographer went on hunger strike on December 21, 2010.December 2010 According to a detainee, after being shipped to a detainment center after the protests, there were rows of men on every floor standing facing the walls with their hands behind their backs. Women were separated and moved to another floor. Guards made them spend the night standing with faces to the walls, and every detainee was forced to sign statements confessing to "taking part in an unsanctioned rally." 639 prisoners received immediate prison sentences of up to 15 days. 41 people were criminally charged.OSCE 2011 23According to another source, 53 people were charged, among whom 34 were political activists.Adamovic Marina Послесловие ... : Площадь 2010 глазами беларусских правозащитников 2013 Mon Litera Minsk 9789859023477 349 ru Afterword... : Square 2010 Through the Eyes of Belarusian Human Rights Defenders http://www.lawtrend.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ugolovnie_dela_.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20150721133615/http://www.lawtrend.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/ugolovnie_dela_.pdf 21 July 2015 The presidential candidate Uladzimir Nyaklyayew, who had been seriously beaten during the evening of the election day, was taken from hospital by men in civilian clothing who wrapped him in a blanket on his hospital bed and carried him away as his wife screamed. While journalist Iryna Khalip and her husband Andrei Sannikov were on the way to a Minsk hospital to treat Sańnikaŭ's injured legs, their car was intercepted by authorities while Khalip was giving a mobile phone interview to the Moscow radio station Echo of Moscow. Khalip screamed on air that they were being forcibly removed from their car, arrested, and further beaten.https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/10/world/europe/10belarus.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&ref=todayspaper Belarus Signals It Could Seize Opponent's Son Schwirtz Michael 9 January 2011 The New York Times 20 April 2011http://en.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/029/01.html Lukashenko reveals a "secret": Ira Khalip's phone was bugged Racheva Elena 22 March 2011 Novaya Gazeta 20 April 2011 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20110430085211/http://en.novayagazeta.ru/data/2011/029/01.html 30 April 2011 Both Khalip and Sańnikaŭ were detained in a KGB facility in Minsk. Lukashenko later revealed that Khalip's phone was bugged. Ryhor Kastusiou and Dzmitry Wus were re-summoned for further questions by the KGB after being initially released. Kastusioŭ responded to the state crackdown saying "the regime has shown its true essence. We've been thrown 10 years into the past." The State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (KGB) charged the activists, while domestic human rights groups stated they could face up to 15 years in jail.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101222171735966368.html Belarus politicians face jail term Al Jazeera English 22 December 2010 11 July 2015 Twenty of the leading opposition figures were facing charges of "organising or participating in a public order disturbance" which is punishable by up to 15 years in jail. By candidate Candidates and their post-election fates Michalevic – arrested,https://archive.today/20130414204519/http://www.ehutrustfund.org/en/main/articles?id=18599 Lukashenka’s show of “democratic” presidential election failed spectacularly; Eastern Europe Studies Centre, European Humanities University. tortured Nyaklyayew – attacked, arrested, sentenced to a two-year sentence, suspended for two yearsЭкс-кандидаты в президенты Некляев и Рымашевский приговорены к условным срокам http://afn.by/news/i/152678 Agency of Financial News 20 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20250125002356/http://afn.by/news/i/152678 25 January 2025 ru Former presidential candidates Neklyayev and Rymasheuski have received suspended sentences Romanchuk – intimidatedElections in Belarus 2010: Repressions Intended To Wipe Out the Democrat OppositionNovember 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes , Hjalmarson Foundation, Juraś Stankevič, March 2011 Rymasheuski – sentenced to a two-year sentence, suspended for two years Sannikov – attacked, arrested, sentenced to 5 yearsBelarus opposition leader Andrei Sannikov jailed, BBC News Online (May 14, 2011) Statkevich – attacked, arrested, sentenced to six years Wus – arrested, passport confiscated, sentenced to 5.5 yearshttp://charter97.org/en/news/2011/5/26/38959/ Statkevich sentenced to 6, Uss to 5.5 years in prison Charter 97 26 May 2011 9 July 2015 center 80% I pray to God they all run away! Let them all run away. Nobody needs them there. Nobody needs them here either. right – Lukashenko, on Michalevič's flight to the Czech Republic Lukashenko's chief election rivals were either intimidated (Jaroslav Romanchuk) or sentenced to prison terms just long enough to ensure they will be unable to participate in the 2015 elections (Andrei Sannikov, Mikola Statkevich and Dzmitry Wus). Opponent Uladzimir Nyaklyayew was sentenced to 2 years with sentence to begin in 2013.Candidate Ales Michalevic was released from detention on 15 February 2011; in a press conference on 1 March, he accused the KGB of torturing him and other former candidates while he was in custody.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12606265 Belarus 'tortured protesters in jail' BBC News March 1, 2011 2011-06-30 Mathew Charles https://web.archive.org/web/20110617051458/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12606265 17 June 2011 live On 17 February 2011 a Belarus court sentenced an opposition activist to four years in jail for taking part in the post-election protests.Belarus jails activist for 4 years for election unrest, Reuters (February 17, 2011) On 2 March Alexander Otroschenkov—a spokesman for candidate Sańnikaŭ, and who had been working as a journalist for Delfi during the December protests—was sentenced to 4 years in prison for violating "Article 293" of the penal code ("organizing and taking part in a mass riot"). Otroschenkov and many others are listed as prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International.4 years in prison for Andrei Sannikov’s press-secretary, Charter 97, 2011.3.2 (retrieved from charter97.org on March 16, 2011) Andrei Sannikov was convicted of the charge of "organizing a mass protest" on 14 May 2011 and sentenced to five years in a high security prison. Reactions The West generally denounced the election as fraudulent; the European Union renewed a travel ban effective 31 January 2011 – prohibiting Lukashenko and 156 of his associates from traveling to EU member countries – as a result of violent crackdowns of opposition supporters by Lukashenko's government forces following the election.New York Times U.S. and E.U. Join to Show Support for Belarus Opposition. Published January 2, 2011.Maclean's The European Union has News for Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko: You’re Grounded https://web.archive.org/web/20130621135837/http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/02/17/not-welcome-in-the-eu/ 2013-06-21 . Published February 17, 2011.Official Journal of the European Union . January 31, 2011.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/04/2011411152554670120.html Deadly blast hits station in Belarus capital Al Jazeera English 11 April 2011 11 July 2015 The United States said it would increase assistance to civil society by 30%, to $15 million; Germany, €6.6 million; Sweden, €7.0 million;Донары выдзеляць беларускай грамадзянскай супольнасьці 87 мільёнаў эўра https://www.svaboda.org/a/2295502.html RFE/RL https://web.archive.org/web/20200427161123/https://www.svaboda.org/a/2295502.html 27 April 2020 be Donors will allocate €87 million to Belarusian civil society the EU, $21.5 million; and Poland, $14 million, with total aid reaching $120 million.Wilson Andrew Belarus The Last European Dictatorship 2021 Yale University Press 9780300260878 236 https://www.google.com.ua/books/edition/Belarus/QPMgEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22the+EU+to+quadruple+its+efforts%22&pg=PA236&printsec=frontcover The United States expanded its sanctions list on January 31Crowley Philip J. Belarus Sanctions https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/01/155640.htm State Department https://web.archive.org/web/20220627202452/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/01/155640.htm 27 June 2022 31 January 2011 and again on August 11.New Sanctions Against Belarus https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/08/170405.htm State Department https://web.archive.org/web/20210801150141/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2011/08/170405.htm 1 August 2021 11 August 2011 The EU reintroduced travel restrictions, which had been suspended in 2008, on 31 January 2011, covering 157 people in total.COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 84/2011 of 31 January 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures against President Lukashenko and certain officials of Belarus https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R0084 https://web.archive.org/web/20200925152944/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R0084 25 September 2020 2 February 2011 The list was gradually expanded, reaching 243 individuals and 32 companies by 26 April 2012.Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02006R0765-20120426 https://web.archive.org/web/20250706213602/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02006R0765-20120426 6 July 2025 26 April 2012 Lukashenko's inauguration ceremony of 22 January 2011 was boycotted by European Union ambassadors, while fellow CIS countries did not send officials higher than ambassadors.Lukashenko is not afraid neither Europe, nor Russia https://web.archive.org/web/20110720173331/http://vikno.eu/eng/politics/politics/lukashenko-is-not-afraid-neither-europe-nor-russia.html 2011-07-20 , "VIKNO.EU" (23 January 2011) During this ceremony Lukashenko defended the legitimacy of his re-election and vowed that Belarus would never have its own version of the 2004 Ukrainian Orange Revolution and Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution.Lukashenko Growls at Inauguration, The Moscow Times (24 January 2011) In January, Lukashenko ordered the OSCE to leave.Schwirtz Michael Belarus Ejects European Watchdog Agency https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/world/europe/02belarus.html The New York Times 1 January 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20241214233430/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/world/europe/02belarus.html 14 December 2024 Domestic Belarus – Lukashenko called the percentage of voters who voted for him "quite good".http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602202 Lukashenko: 79.67% is quite a good result Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-20 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163607/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602202 2011-07-06 dead According to Lukashenko his opponents got few votes because "the ex-candidates had not committed any deeds to convince the Belarusian nation to vote for them. People learned their names two months before". He also stressed: “They may have a great future ahead of them but they have to work for it. If they do it, they will find their place in Belarus and will always enjoy support of the incumbent president”.http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602336 Lukashenko ready to hear out some ex-candidate proposals Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-20 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163543/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602336 2011-07-06 dead International organisations UN – The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon noted the serious concerns voiced by observer groups regarding the electoral process and post-electoral developments and called on the government to observe fully human rights and due process. He also called on Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko to release political prisoners arrested following the elections.http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/94519/#ixzz1Al5Dpjpr United Nations to Belarus: Release political prisoners Kyiv Post 2011-01-11 2011-01-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20110119121852/http://www.kyivpost.com/news/russia/detail/94519/ 19 January 2011 live CIS – The Commonwealth of Independent States recognised the election as legitimate.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/20/c_13657044.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20120308222606/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/20/c_13657044.htm dead March 8, 2012 Belarus' presidential polls legitimate: CIS observers Xinhua 2010-12-20 2010-12-21 EU – The EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said in an official statement that "unfortunately, the trend set by the relative progress during the campaigning period was not followed by a transparent and fair polling process. It is especially regrettable that election night was marred by violence, which I strongly condemn. In particular, the beating and detention of several opposition leaders, including presidential candidates, is unacceptable."Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the presidential elections in Belarus The president of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek added that "beating independent election candidates is unacceptable. The action was outrageous"; he also launched a European Parliamentary investigation into the election.http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul145874_who-attacked-belarusian-government-building.html Who attacked Belarusian government building? Polskie Radio 2010-12-20 2010-12-23 A joint statement from the foreign ministers of the Czech Republic (Karel Schwarzenberg), Germany (Guido Westerwelle), Poland (Radosław Sikorski) and Sweden (Carl Bildt) on 23 December declared that "there can be no business-as-usual between the European Union and Belarus’ president, Aleksandr Lukashenko, after what has happened since the presidential election in Belarus[.] [...] continued positive engagement with Mr. Lukashenko at the moment seems to be a waste of time and money. He has made his choice — and it is a choice against everything the European Union stands for." They added that "while the voting proceeded in an orderly fashion, the counting of the votes turned into a charade. The report of the independent observers assessed the counting as 'bad' or 'very bad' in nearly half the polling stations they could observe, and it is not unreasonable to assume that it was even worse in the others. It became obvious that there were orders not to count votes, but to deliver a predetermined result. The combination of vote-rigging and outright repression makes what Milosevic tried to do in Serbia in 2000 pale in comparison. What we have seen brings back memories of the introduction of martial law in Poland in 1981."https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/24/opinion/24iht-edbildt24.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Carl%20Bildt&st=cse Lukashenko the Loser International Herald Tribune 2010-12-23 2010-12-24 Carl Bildt Karel Schwarzenberg Radek Sikorski Guido Westerwelle OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe called the election "flawed" and that Belarus has a "considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments."http://www.osce.org/item/48240.html PDF Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions OSCE 20 December 2010 27 December 2010 16 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120616082628/http://www.osce.org/item/48240.html dead In response, Lukashenko said the OSCE had no right to speak about events in Belarus which happened after the election. He also called the OSCE criticism "amoral" because Belarus is an OSCE member and thus "experts and officials are subordinate to virtually 56 heads of state, including the Belarusian president."http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602244 Civil unrest in Minsk on 19 December 'nothing to do with elections' Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-20 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163555/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602244 2011-07-06 dead Expressions of congratulations Azerbaijan 1993 – President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Lukashenko. China – President Hu Jintao congratulated Lukashenko. Georgia – President Mikheil Saakashvili congratulated Lukashenko on his victory.http://www.finchannel.com/Main_News/Politics/77940_Saakashvili_Congratulates_Lukashenko/ Saakashvili Congratulates Lukashenko The Financial 2010-12-22 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20101224111010/http://finchannel.com/Main_News/Politics/77940_Saakashvili_Congratulates_Lukashenko/ 2010-12-24 dead Kazakhstan – Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated Lukashenko.http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul145949_poland-demands-lukashenko-stops-repression.html Poland demands Lukashenko stops repression Polskie Radio 2010-12-21 2010-12-23 The chairman of the Kazakh Senate, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also said that "the people of Belarus voted for the incumbent president, and this choice will enjoy the respect of Kazakhstan."http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/21/c_13657283.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20120308221831/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-12/21/c_13657283.htm dead March 8, 2012 Int'l observers differ on Belarus' presidential election Xinhua 2010-12-21 2010-12-21 Russia – Russian president Dmitry Medvedev commented on December 20 that the Belarusian election was an internal matter http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6BJ2C820101220 https://web.archive.org/web/20101223021732/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6BJ2C820101220 dead December 23, 2010 Russia's Medvedev: Belarus vote "internal matter" Reuters 2010-10-20 2010-12-21 Denis Dyomkin He officially congratulated Lukashenko on December 25.http://forsecurity.org/medvedev-congratulates-lukashenko-re-election Medvedev congratulates Lukashenko on re-election Foreign Policy and Security Research Center 2010-12-27 2011-01-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726062412/http://forsecurity.org/medvedev-congratulates-lukashenko-re-election 2011-07-26 dead Russian electoral observers also said the election was legitimate. Patriarch of Moscow Kirill I congratulated Lukashenko on his re-election.http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=603052 Patriarch Kirill congratulates Alexander Lukashenko on re-election Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-23 2010-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163616/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=603052 2011-07-06 dead Syria 1980 – President Bashar al-Assad congratulated Lukashenko. Ukraine – President Viktor Yanukovych sent a letter of congratulations to Lukashenko.http://forsecurity.org/yanukovych-congratulated-lukashenko-re-election Yanukovych congratulated Lukashenko on re-election Foreign Policy and Security Research Center 2011-01-03 2011-01-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20110726062359/http://forsecurity.org/yanukovych-congratulated-lukashenko-re-election 2011-07-26 dead The Foreign Ministry stated that it would take into account the views of international observers in formulating its opinion about the election and expressed concern about the use of violence against opposition demonstrators.https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus_postelection_violence_ukraine/2255134.html Ukraine 'Concerned' About Postelection Violence in Belarus Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 2010-12-21 2010-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20110119073659/http://www.rferl.org/content/belarus_postelection_violence_ukraine/2255134.html 19 January 2011 live One Ukrainian member of the OSCE election observation mission, parliament deputy of the Party of Regions Oleksandr Stoyan, stated he saw no violations during the election and hoped that the Party of Regions would welcome the election result. Venezuela – President Hugo Chávez congratulated Lukashenko.Chavez Lauds Lukashenko’s ‘Extraordinary’ Win as U.S. Slams Vote http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-12-21/chavez-lauds-lukashenko-s-extraordinary-election-win-as-u-s-slams-vote Bloomberg 21 December 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20151223101056/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-12-21/chavez-lauds-lukashenko-s-extraordinary-election-win-as-u-s-slams-vote 23 December 2015 Vietnam – President Nguyễn Minh Triết congratulated Lukashenko on his victory.http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?&page=1 China President congratulates Alexander Lukashenko on re-election Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-24 2010-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20101204040130/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?&page=1 2010-12-04 dead http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602954 Presidents of Azerbaijan, Syria, Vietnam congratulate Lukashenko on re-election Belarusian Telegraph Agency 2010-12-22 2010-12-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163653/http://news.belta.by/en/news/president?id=602954 2011-07-06 dead Expressions of concerns Poland – Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that a "reliable source" had informed him that the official results of the election had been falsified.http://www.thenews.pl/international/artykul145979_polands-fm-says-belarusian-election-was-fixed.html Poland's FM says Belarusian election was fixed Polskie Radio 2010-12-22 2010-12-23 Sweden – On the night of the election, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt reacted sharply about the news of a crackdown on the opposition rally in Minsk and said that the beating of Nyaklyayew "is very disturbing and totally unacceptable."http://www.gp.se/nyheter/varlden/1.514371-bildt-fordomer-aktion-i-vitryssland Bildt fördömer aktion i Vitryssland Göteborgs-Posten 2010-12-19 2010-12-23 United States – The United States did not recognise the result as legitimate and called for the immediate release of all opposition presidential candidates arrested by authorities.https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2020541920101220 US calls for release of Belarus presidential candidates Reuters 2010-12-20 Steve Holland In a joint statement on 24 December 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the EU's Catherine Ashton called for the immediate release of all 600 detained demonstrators as well as all presidential candidates. Both the EU and the US backed the OSCE's report asking Belarusian authorities to complete the reform of the electoral process it demanded. They said that without "considerable progress" in respect to democracy and human rights relations between Belarus and the EU and the US would not improve: "The Government of Belarus should take the steps necessary to create political space for political activists, civil society representatives, and independent journalists. The elections and their aftermath represent an unfortunate step backwards in the development of democratic governance and respect for human rights in Belarus. The people of Belarus deserve better."EU, US Take Aim at Belarus on Repressions https://web.archive.org/web/20110211072746/http://www.euractiv.com/en/east-mediterranean/eu-us-take-aim-belarus-repressions-news-500896 2011-02-11 , EurActiv.com, 24 December 2010; Council of the EU, 24 December 2010 On March 17, 2011, the United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution condemning the election as illegitimate and fraudulent; and calling on the Belarus regime to immediately release all political prisoners captured during the peaceful election protests.http://durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=d4297e44-303d-4972-a9be-4c5ba8948b08 US Senate Resolution on Belarus elections March 17, 2011 March 19, 2011 December 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141207121351/http://www.durbin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=d4297e44-303d-4972-a9be-4c5ba8948b08 dead New government On 28 December Lukashenko appointed Mikhail Myasnikovich as Prime Minister, replacing Sergei Sidorsky.http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/12/20101228161644317852.html Belarus president names new PM Al Jazeera English 28 December 2010 11 July 2015 Notes References Bibliography Republic of Belarus Presidential Election, 19 December 2010: OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/4/75713.pdf OSCE https://web.archive.org/web/20200818202345/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/4/75713.pdf 18 August 2020 22 February 2011 External links Presidential elections in Belarus Category:Presidential elections in Belarus Belarus President