Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is projected to win the presidential election in Belarus, Al Jazeera reports, citing an exit poll broadcast on state television, securing a reported 87.6 percent of the vote.
This result, if confirmed, would extend his time in office, which began in 1994.
This election is the first presidential vote since the 2020 election, which saw large-scale protests against the government and its policies. The country has also been under international scrutiny for allowing Russian forces to use Belarusian territory as a staging point for the conflict of Ukraine in 2022.
The 2020 election resulted in widespread protests throughout Belarus. Following the election, international sanctions were imposed, and a government crackdown resulted in the imprisonment of over 1,000 people.
According to the United Nations, an estimated 300,000 Belarusians have left the country since 2020, many seeking refuge in neighboring Poland and Lithuania. These individuals were not eligible to vote in the election, as Belarus has abolished overseas voting stations.
Four candidates appeared on the ballot in opposition to Lukashenko.
