What do opinion polls suggest?
Independent polls show fairly low support for any individual political force and a traditionally high proportion of voters disappointed in both government and opposition. A survey by Belarus’ most respected independent pollster suggested 39.6% would vote for Lukashenko-backed candidates, and 17.7% for the opposition. Some 31.4% said they would support candidates other than those backed by the president or the opposition, which is hardly an option. What about the campaign and polling? The campaign has been lacklustre. Election coverage in the official media has been limited to repetitive reports from the Central Electoral Commission and bland five-minute addresses by candidates on local television and radio. The biggest scandal was the decision of five United Civic Party candidates in Minsk to withdraw over publishers’ refusals to produce their campaign leaflets, which the party regards as government meddling in the election. The opposition and human rights watchdogs say the vote will b
