— These alleged presidential elections are just a farce. This is not an election, but a masquerade organized by Lukashenko so that he can re-designate himself to regulation and claim a legitimacy that does not exist. There are no alternate candidates, no observers, no vote counting,” said Cichanouska in an interview published on Saturday.
"We call on the Belarusians to reject the staging"
“We call on the Belarusians to reject this staging. I encourage those who will be forced to participate in the elections to vote "against everything" as part of the protest. As for voters who are outside Belarus, I encourage them to take part in demonstrations and actions in the planet that aim to signal that the Lukashenko government is invalid," added the oppositionist.
She added: “We should remember that these elections will not change anything. Belarusians rejected Lukashenko in 2020.
Cichanouska thus referred to erstwhile presidential elections in which she was a rival of Lukashenko. The results of the alternate vote counting indicated her victory, but the Central Electoral Commission announced that 80% of voters voted for Lukashenko. Massive peaceful protests began then, brutally suppressed by the authorities.
Cichanouska said in an interview that the most crucial thing now is to free political prisoners and halt repression.
— Thousands were imprisoned. Independent media have been destroyed and civilian society is in constant danger. Still, opposition persists, though in silence, secretly. People find creative and delicate ways to express opposition.... all act of disagreement, even the smallest, is an act of courage," said the opposition leader.
When asked about Belarus and Russia's relations, she stressed that "Belarus has become a military base and a trampoline for aggression against Ukraine", and Lukashenko "sells his country in pieces to stay in power".
— This year could bring crucial changes. The fresh American administration could change dynamics. The Lukashenko regime, as well as Putinowski, is far little unchangeable than it seems. I am convinced that changes in Belarus will start sooner than in Russia. Belarusian society is ready. Unlike in Russia, there is no support for the war in Ukraine or for dictatorship in Belarus, according to Cichanouska.
On Sunday, another government presidential election will be held in Belarus, in which experts believe that Lukashenko, who has ruled the country since 1994, will officially win again. The results of the erstwhile 2020 vote were not recognised by the global community. besides Sunday elections are not recognized by the West.
