Upcoming Belarusian Presidential Elections: Calendar of Events

Introduction

Belarus will hold its next presidential election on March 19, 2025. The election will be the sixth since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The current president, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power since 1994 and is seeking a sixth term.

The election is expected to be closely contested, with several opposition candidates challenging Lukashenko. The main opposition candidate is Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the wife of a jailed blogger. Other candidates include Viktor Babariko, a former banker, and Valery Tsepkalo, a former diplomat.

The election is likely to be closely watched by the international community, as Belarus is a key player in the region. The country has been a close ally of Russia, but it has also been seeking to improve relations with the West.

Key Dates

The following is a calendar of key dates in the run-up to the election:

• January 2023: The Central Election Commission announces the date of the election.
• February 2023: Candidates begin to register for the election.
• March 2023: The final list of candidates is announced.
• April-May 2023: Candidates campaign for office.
• March 19, 2025: Election Day.

Important Notes

The following are some important notes about the election:

• The election will be held in accordance with the Constitution of Belarus and the Electoral Code.
• The Central Election Commission is responsible for organizing and conducting the election.
• International observers will be invited to monitor the election.
• The results of the election will be announced within 10 days of the election.

Additional Resources

For more information about the Belarusian presidential election, please visit the following websites:

• Central Election Commission of the Republic of Belarus
• United Nations in Belarus
• OSCE Mission to Belarus