Lukashenko secures seventh term in disputed Belarus election

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has been declared the winner of a disputed presidential election, securing a seventh consecutive term with 86.8% of the vote.

The country’s Central Election Commission announced the results on Monday, with officials citing a turnout of 85.7% from the 6.9 million eligible voters.

Lukashenko’s victory comes after a campaign where all four of his opponents were loyal to his regime and praised his 30 years in power. However, the election has been widely criticized by opposition groups, Western governments, and human rights organizations, who call it a “sham.”

Lukashenko has faced ongoing international scrutiny for his tight grip on power since he first took office in 1994.