Lukashenko promises honest presidential elections in Belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has offered assurances that the country's presidential elections will be as honest and as transparent as possible.
"The elections in Belarus will be exceptionally honest and will proceed in accordance with the Constitution of Belarus," Lukashenko said in parliament on Thursday.
All electoral procedures will be observed and all deadlines will be met, he said.
"You do not have to write anything or calculate any ratings," the president said.
Lukashenko said he was convinced that people would support the current authorities.
"Our people will support us in any case, even in the hardest of times, but these times will not come. We will not let them. That is why the West should stop agonizing over us," he said.
The European Union and the United States are putting the brakes on efforts to normalize relations with Belarus, apparently waiting to see the results of the presidential elections in this country, he said.