Belarusian Prisoner Alleges Election Rigging Ahead of 2025 Vote

The upcoming 2025 Belarusian presidential elections are shrouded in controversy, with allegations of pre-election rigging surfacing. A recent interview with a Belarusian political prisoner, whose identity is being withheld for safety reasons, reveals alarming claims. The prisoner alleges that early voting, lasting nearly two weeks, allows for complete falsification of results. "Early voting means 100% falsification," he stated. He further criticizes the lack of transparency, noting that observers are not permitted to monitor the vote count. The interviewee also points to the low turnout in parallel parliamentary elections, suggesting a broader pattern of suppression. The government's recent crackdown on Telegram channels, according to the prisoner, further underscores the lack of free expression. While these claims require independent verification, they highlight concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the electoral process in Belarus.