International observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO PA) have published the Report on the results of the presidential election in the Republic of Belarus held on January 26, 2025. The document notes that the elections were held in accordance with the national legislation and international standards.
The international observation group, headed by Victoria Abramchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, included parliamentarians of the CSTO Member States, who monitored all stages of the electoral process. The observers noted that the Central Election Commission (CEC) had done significant work in preparing the elections, including the organization of 5,325 polling stations and the accreditation of 44,361 national and 486 international observers from 52 states.
The Report reads that the election was competitive: five candidates were registered, including Aleksandr Lukashenko, incumbent President. Voter turnout was high, indicating the citizens' interest in the process.
According to the conclusions of the group, the elections met the criteria of democratic elections: they were open, free and fair. The members of the monitoring mission also noted the importance of ensuring electoral sovereignty of the country and the active participation of observers.
As you may recall, methodological assistance in the work of the group was provided by the International Institute for Monitoring Democracy Development, Parliamentarianism and Suffrage Protection of Citizens of IPA CIS Member Nations, as well as the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Secretariat.