Natallia Radzina: It Is Important To Have Empty Polling Stations On ‘Election’ Day

The farce should be ignored.

So-called ‘presidential elections’ have been announced in Belarus for January 26, 2025. In fact - the early ones. Lukashenka has already announced his participation.

Natallia Radzina, Charter97.org editor-in-chief, has criticised the ‘plan’ presented by Tsikhanouskaya's office for the so-called elections and called to boycott them:

‘Tsikhanouskaya has obviously no influence on the situation inside the country. An imitation of activity is taking place. After the date of the ‘elections’ was announced, Tsikhanouskaya's office issued a call to ‘vote against everyone’. This is an absolute game in favour of the authorities. I believe that these ‘elections’ should be completely ignored. When you call on people to vote against everyone, you provide the authorities with turnout. You urge Belarusians to come to the polling stations, legitimising this farce and providing a picture for propaganda TV channels. Then Lukashenka draws a figure of 80%. I urge Belarusians not to participate in the ‘elections’, to ignore them as much as possible. If you are forced (we understand that the authorities will use administrative resources), it is better to tear up those ballots. It is clear that today it is difficult to talk about open protest against the authorities, given the level of repression, but I think that every citizen of Belarus should ignore these ‘elections’.

We understand perfectly well that the figures have already been prepared. Lukashenka will probably want to draw about 80%. Perhaps more, because Putin had 87% at the last ‘elections’. It doesn't make any difference. But it is very important to have empty polling stations on the day of the ‘elections’. Yes, people will be driven to early voting, because it's easier to send a person from the workplace, but we can ensure empty polling stations on ‘election’ day. This is how Belarusians will express their protest against the dictatorship. It is absolutely safe.

Is it possible that a technically sound candidate, who can be supported by the opposition, will appear at these ‘elections’? Natallia Radzina believes that this option is excluded:

‘In 2025, such a scenario is not possible. Today we don't see even spoilers on the horizon who will dare to take part in these ‘elections’ with Lukashenka. However, I think, there will be a few people who will look unfavourable against the background of the dictator. Though now any candidate will look more favourable, as Lukashenka is so decrepit and weak. Still, they will be absolutely safe people. We can't talk about voting here, we have to ignore it.

It makes sense to participate in ‘elections’ if a protest rally is organised after them. And it is unacceptable to ensure turnout for the dictator.

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