FILE - A woman walks past a huge election banner and Belarus national flags in Minsk, Belarus, on Nov. 13, 2019. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo, File)
FILE - Belarusians read posters during an anti-election campaign picket in Minsk, Belarus, on Sept. 22, 2012. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo, File)
In this photo provided by the Belarusian Presidential Press Service, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, right, presents flowers to an election commission official ahead of voting at a polling station, in Minsk, Belarus, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Lukashenko was believed a few years ago to be considering whether to lead the new body after stepping down, but his calculus has apparently changed, and he announced on Sunday that he will run in next year's presidential election. (Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP)
In this photo provided by the Belarusian Presidential Press Service, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, centre, walks ahead of voting at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Lukashenko was believed a few years ago to be considering whether to lead the new body after stepping down, but his calculus has apparently changed, and he announced on Sunday that he will run in next year's presidential election. (Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP)
FILE - A vendor sells vegetables next to official leaflets with competing parliamentary candidates' information displayed, and election posters of contenders in Minsk, Belarus, on Sept. 20, 2012. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo, File)
In this photo provided by the Belarusian Presidential Press Service, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko addresses the media after voting at a polling station, in Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Lukashenko was believed a few years ago to be considering whether to lead the new body after stepping down, but his calculus has apparently changed, and he announced on Sunday that he will run in next year's presidential election. (Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP)
In this photo provided by the Belarusian Presidential Press Service, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko reacts after voting, at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus, on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. Lukashenko was believed a few years ago to be considering whether to lead the new body after stepping down, but his calculus has apparently changed, and he announced on Sunday that he will run in next year's presidential election. (Belarusian Presidential Press Service via AP)
FILE - Belarusian riot police block demonstrators during an opposition rally in Minsk, Belarus, on Nov. 15, 2020. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo, File)
FILE - People shout slogans during a small protest against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko outside the European Parliament in Brussels, on Sept. 15, 2020. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
FILE - Electoral commission staff count ballot papers after voting closed at a polling station in Minsk, Belarus, on Sept. 23, 2012. Belarusians will cast ballots Sunday in tightly controlled parliamentary and local elections that are set to cement an authoritarian leader's rule, despite calls for a boycott by an opposition leader who described the balloting as a "senseless farce." (AP Photo, File)