No Opposition in New Belarusian Parliament, Vote Allegedly Rigged

The election of the 110-member parliament in Belarus is considered a formality that will only strengthen the grip on power of President Alexander Lukashenko. Photo by EPA / BGNES

No oppositional formations have made it into parliament, as rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko have stated that Sunday's elections were openly rigged.

"It's doubtful that any [opposition candidates] won. None of the districts said anything about that," Central Election Commission Chairwoman Lidia Yermoshina has said, as cited by RIA Novosti.

Only four non-ruling party members had made it into the 110-seat parliament, with all of them supporting Lukashenko's policies during the election campaign.

Belarusian authorities have reported the voter turnout at a massive 74.3% despite evidence of scant attendance at polling stations in Minsk.

The opposition said actual turnout was half that, charging that the official rate was inflated by a five-day pre-election process that allows state workers to take ballot boxes directly to voters across the country, Radio Netherlands reports.

The outgoing chamber was also filled entirely by people who completely supported the man often described as "Europe's last dictator."

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!