BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

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Lukashenko faces three challengers

Source ::: Reuters

MINSK: Three candidates will challenge long-serving President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus presidential elections next month, the Central Election Commission said yesterday.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist since 1994, is accused by opposition and Western governments of persecuting political rivals, stifling independent media and repeatedly rigging polls.

The commission has registered Lukashenko, pro-presidential ally Sergei Gaidukevich and two opposition candidates ? independent Alexander Milinkevich and the former rector of the Belarussian State University Alexander Kozulin.

Lukashenko, who is almost certain to win, said he would do everything to ensure a fair, transparent election on March 19. ?Only the Belarussian people will elect their president. It will be done independently and without any pressure from the outside,? he told reporters after formal registration at the commission.

Lukashenko has repeatedly said he has no need to rig the poll, due to his high popularity in the country of 10 million on Russia?s western border. He has said he will either win a third term fairly or retire. Opinion polls give him between 55 and 70 per cent support, with only about 18 per cent ready to vote for Milinkevich.

Milinkevich, backed by Belarus?s main opposition parties as their best hope against Lukashenko, said the authorities would try to cheat.

Source:

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