Belarus elections take dark turn, police begin brutal protest crackdown

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While tensions have increased over exit poll results showing Lukashenko with roughly 80% of the vote, final results will be available on Monday at the earliest. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has reportedly polled around 7%.

It is true that the poll results appear dismal for Tikhanovskaya. That said, many critics have pointed out that the Lukashenko regime has a long history of electioneering to maintain a grip on power throughout the country.

According to an Al Jazeera report, the energy in Minsk is one of “anger and frustration,” with streets and squares “…full of people who are all very angry, calling the election a huge fraud.”

Although there have been multiple reports of violence at the hands of the police, the Belarus Interior Ministry has refused to acknowledge any injuries.

Chaos emerged in other Belarusian cities, including the city of Brest with reports of police firing tear gas at protesters.

Upon closing of the polls, Tikhanovskaya made a statement on the nefarious results, “I believe my eyes, and I see that the majority is with us,” adding “We have already won, because we have overcome our fear, our apathy and our indifference.”