{"id":113124,"date":"2024-11-09T22:30:46","date_gmt":"2024-11-09T19:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/113124\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:35:32","slug":"decorations-for-a-farce-lukasenka-wants-nice-and-decent-ballot-boxes","status":"publish","type":"longreads","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/longreads\/113124\/","title":{"rendered":"Decorations for a farce: \u0141uka\u0161enka wants \u201cnice and decent\u201d ballot boxes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Belarusian leader is more concerned with the appearance of the election\u2014such as the design of “nice and decent” ballot boxes\u2014than with addressing concerns about electoral integrity or ensuring fair competition. On November 5, Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka urged election organizers to remain vigilant against any potential attempts by the opposition to disrupt the January 21-26 presidential election.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cDecent\u201d ballot boxes and entertainment for voters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka appeared genuinely concerned with the aesthetics of the ballot boxes. He insisted that all boxes\u2014both stationary and mobile versions\u2014be \u201cnice and decent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past, members of the Belarusian opposition called for the use of transparent ballot boxes to prevent ballot stuffing. However, this issue has since been removed from the agenda, as opposition representatives no longer sit on election commissions or serve as observers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only representatives from organizations that offer flattering assessments\u2014such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)\u2014will be invited to observe the voting process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ihar Karpienka, the head of the central election commission, has also suggested that invitations might be extended to organizations representing countries from the Global South, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab League and the Pan-African Parliament. However, the government is unlikely to invite monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as the OSCE has criticized every election held under \u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the Belarusian ruler seems more concerned with the appearance of the ballot boxes than with the integrity of the ballots themselves. In an interview with Izvestiya<\/em> a few weeks ago, he acknowledged that local authorities could have \u201cadjusted\u201d the results of the 2020 election in his favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the ballot boxes, \u0141uka\u0161enka also emphasized the importance of creating a festive atmosphere at polling stations. He reminded local officials of their obligation to organize food stalls and performances to entertain voters\u2014Soviet-style traditions that must be upheld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voting as a duty in the absence of genuine competition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to young people in January, Natalla Ka\u010danava, chairwoman of the Council of the Republic, reminisced about the elections of her youth, describing them as festive occasions filled with songs, dances and buffets. She stressed that abstaining from voting was unthinkable: voting was considered a \u201csacred duty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ka\u010danava did not, however, comment on the nature of the election itself. In Soviet times, the ballot often contained only one candidate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s system maintains the illusion of a multi-candidate election, but it does not offer voters a meaningful choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On November 4, the central election commission finalized the registration of signature-collection groups for seven potential candidates. Six are merely pseudo-challengers, with opposition figures barred from running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka enjoys a reliable voter base, estimated at 20\u201330%, and a system that incentivizes and coerces certain social groups\u2014such as students, civil servants, and other officials\u2014to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysts expect a high turnout for early voting. In the absence of genuine competition, vote-rigging is not seen as a major concern. However, officials find it more convenient to pressure voters into casting their ballots early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phantom of 2020 lingers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the November 5 meeting, \u0141uka\u0161enka reflected on the 2020 post-election protests, acknowledging that while his outspoken critics have been driven into exile, \u201cthere are still enough different people in society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must not relax by any means. Especially us, the authorities at the local level. We have to prepare for the worst,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, \u0141uka\u0161enka appears to recognize that he no longer enjoys the same level of support he once had.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition leader Sviat\u0142ana Cichano\u016dskaja has called on her supporters to vote against all candidates, but this tactic is unlikely to affect the official result. A more effective strategy seems almost impossible at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, \u0141uka\u0161enka remains wary that his opponents might outsmart him. \u201cIt\u2019s evident that they say one thing but do another. . . . They\u2019re also prepared for radical actions. So we need to be ready to respond appropriately,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security forces, eager to demonstrate their loyalty, have ramped up intimidation in the lead-up to the election. The KGB has recently conducted raids, claiming to have uncovered a plot to seize power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u0141uka\u0161enka\u2019s call for vigilance will likely prompt security agencies to continue searching for new \u201cconspiracies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government is unlikely to ease the pressure on its opponents. We can likely expect ostentatious gestures, such as pardoning some political prisoners. On November 7, \u0141uka\u0161enka ordered the release of 31 inmates, including those with serious health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the election will likely play out as a stage-managed ritual, with entertainment at the polling stations and \u201cnice and decent\u201d ballot boxes, while the real political contest remains conspicuously absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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