The Telegram app in Belarus created an anonymous poll in which it asked residents of the country to indicate their vote in the presidential election, reports one of the most important Russian news agencies RIA Novosti. According to the results of the poll published tonight Moscow time, 53% of users voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and 2% for incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko.
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In addition, 7% of those questioned declared that they did not go to the polling stations, while 3% voted “against all”.
The user can choose between the five candidates who took part in the elections, but can also opt for “I am against all”, “I am Belarusian, but I did not vote” or simply “I am not Belarusian”. Only users with a Belarusian SIM card can vote for any choice, except of course for “I am not Belarusian”.
On August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus and, according to official data from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, Lukashenko won with 80.1% of the vote. Svetlana Tikhanovskaya is in second place with 10.12%. However, the opposition does not recognize the results of the vote and claim that there were numerous falsifications in the vote count.
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After the release of the preliminary results, protests erupted across the country, bringing thousands to the streets to denounce the rigging of the vote.
The country subsequently went on strike, including large industrial factories, where employees demand new elections and an end to police violence inflicted on protesters.