Voting begins in Belarus presidential elections

Presidential elections are taking place in Belarus, where voters are expected to return incumbent Alexander Lukashenko to power. Mr Lukashenko has governed the former Soviet republic almost unchallenged for 21 years. Only three candidates are standing against Mr Lukashenko, and no veteran opposition leaders are standing as they were not allowed to register. They say […]

Presidential elections are taking place in Belarus, where voters are expected to return incumbent Alexander Lukashenko to power.
Mr Lukashenko has governed the former Soviet republic almost unchallenged for 21 years.
Only three candidates are standing against Mr Lukashenko, and no veteran opposition leaders are standing as they were not allowed to register.
They say that the vote will not be free or fair.
Belarusian TV on Sunday showed President Lukashenko casting his vote in an election for which he is seeking a fifth consecutive term of office.
The president was accompanied to the polling station by his youngest son, Nikolai, who has accompanied his father on numerous public occasions in recent years.
Critics have accused the president and his supporters of preventing the main opposition parties from building any public profile and restricting their access to the all-powerful state-owned media.