The Guardian: Belarus bans two opposition candidates from running in elections
Critics say disbarring Viktor Babariko and Valery Tsepkalo is effort to ensure sixth term for incumbent
Belarus has barred two popular opposition candidates from running in the presidential elections next month in what their supporters said was a blatant effort to ensure a sixth term for the autocrat Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled for a quarter of a century.
The country’s election commission disbarred Viktor Babariko, an outspoken former banker, and Valery Tsepkalo, an entrepreneur and former diplomat, from the poll, despite both having collected more than 100,000 signatures in a boisterous pre-election campaign.
“The government is so weak that they did not even allow Babariko [to run in the elections] from behind bars,” said Maria Kalesnikava, a representative for Babariko’s campaign, after the election commission announced its decision on Tuesday.
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More News On The Unrest In Belarus
Belarus election: Hundreds protest after Lukashenko's rivals barred -- BBC
Belarus bars main challengers from presidential ballot -- AP
Belarus Protests Turn Violent as Opposition Candidates Barred from Elections -- Moscow Times/AFP
Belarus police detain over 250 after challengers barred from election -- Reuters
Lukashenka Vows Not To 'Give Our Country To Anyone' After Violent Dispersal Of Demonstrators In Belarus -- RFE
Hundreds of protesters face criminal charges in Belarus -- DW
Belarus threatens opposition protesters with criminal charges -- RFI
