Thousands took to the streets throughout Belarus on Sunday night, to protest a state-TV exit ballot saying long-time chief Aleksander Lukashenko has gained a landslide victory within the nation’s August 9 presidential elections.
The nation’s Central Election Commission (CEC) mentioned on Monday incumbent president Lukashenko had gained greater than 80% of the vote, whereas his principal rival, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who had reportedly gained at a majority of polling stations, had solely gathered 9.9%.
The announcement got here amid accusations that 1000’s weren’t allowed to vote, and that exit polls and official outcomes from CEC have been rigged.
The figures launched by CEC have led to violent clashes within the capital, Minsk, with movies circulating on the internet exhibiting police forces cracking down on demonstrators. Police reportedly used stun grenades, rubber bullets, tear fuel and water cannon, whereas not less than one demonstrator is reported to have been killed.
The violent crackdown on protesters has been slammed by the European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen, who mentioned that “harassment and violent repression of peaceful protesters has no place in Europe.”
Harassment & violent repression of peaceable protesters has no place in Europe.
Fundamental rights in #Belarus have to be revered.
I name on the Belarusian authorities to make sure that the votes in yesterday’s election are counted & revealed precisely.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) August 10, 2020
EU Council President, Charles Michel, additionally tweeted that “violence against protesters is not the answer,” and referred to as for the safety of elementary human rights.
On Monday, Lithuania’s ambassador to the EU, referred to as on Europe to declare Belarus presidential vote a fraud and to help these “fighting for the right to vote.”
#Belarus is #EU neighbourhood. It’s a #European obligation to name a fraud a fraud and to help these courageous males & ladies as we speak in 2020 combating for the appropriate to vote. In #TruthfulElections we belief✌️ https://t.co/BfOfjR3oAO
— Jovita Neliupsiene (@Jovita_Pra) August 10, 2020
