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Belarus Votes In Local Elections


A voter casts a ballot in Fanipal, near Minsk.
A voter casts a ballot in Fanipal, near Minsk.
Belarusian voters are going to the polls today to elect members of local councils.

Although more than 21,000 seats on local councils are being contested, there are only an estimated 360 opposition candidates competing against the progovernment candidates.

Dozens of opposition candidates withdrew from the elections after claiming that the authorities were obstructing their campaigns.

Today is the second and final day of voting. The first day was April 20, but Belarusian officials said at the time that turnout was low, with only 3.6 percent of the electorate casting ballots.

Preliminary results are expected on April 26.

Compiled from agency reports

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