2022 Belarusian constitutional referendum

Last updated
2022 Belarusian constitutional referendum
Flag of Belarus.svg
27 February 2022 (2022-02-27)
"Do you accept the amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus?"
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes4,440,83086.64%
Light brown x.svgNo684,94613.36%
Valid votes5,125,77695.64%
Invalid or blank votes233,6274.36%
Total votes5,359,403100.00%
Registered voters/turnout6,815,66778.63%

A constitutional referendum was held in Belarus on 27 February 2022. The referendum was ordered by President Alexander Lukashenko in January 2022. According to political analysts, changes to the Belarusian constitution were intended to solidify the power of Lukashenko's regime after the mass protests in 2020 and 2021, which challenged his rule and was brutally suppressed by police. More than 35,000 people were arrested, 1,070 of whom are acknowledged political prisoners. The changes to the Constitution allow Lukashenko to remain in office until 2035 and empower the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, an extra-parliamentary body dominated by government supporters. [1] [2] The changes also renounced Belarus's nuclear-free zone status, allowing Belarus to host nuclear weapons for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union; the lead-up to the referendum occurred as Russia amassed its troops in both Russia and Belarus in the prelude to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the election itself was held several days after Russia began its military offensive into Ukraine. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus (CEC), 65.2% of voters voted in favor of the amendments to the State Constitution, offered by the authorities. [5]

The referendum was carried out in an atmosphere of repression; [6] the Belarusian opposition was not permitted to campaign, and the election was considered neither free nor fair. [7] The referendum was denounced as a sham by the Belarusian opposition and its exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, [5] by the European Union, [8] and by the United States. [9]

Background

In 2016, Lukashenko publicly spoke about possible amendments to the Constitution at some point in the future. [10] On June 26, 2020, the preparation was officially announced. Two drafts of the altered Constitution were shown to Lukashenko, which were both rejected. [11]

On March 28, 2020, a special meeting of the OSCE on the issue of the situation in Belarus was held in Vienna. Belarusian state representatives addressed that meeting and explained that constitutional reform is the only way to hold early presidential elections before the expiration of Lukashenko's sixth presidential term. He also assured that the amendments to the Constitution will facilitate the liberalization of the Belarusian political system by enhancing roles of political parties and making alterations in its Electoral Code. [12]

On March 15, 2022, Lukashenko signed a decree establishing a Constitutional Commission . The Commission was to develop proposals of necessary amendments to the Constitution and ensure its nationwide referendum. Head of the Constitutional Court of Belarus Pyotr Miklashevich was appointed Chair of the Commission, Vladimir Andreichenko and Natalya Kochanova were appointed Vice-Chairs. The Commission included prominent sportsmen, scientists, social activists and top managers. [13] The Commission offered every citizen to submit proposals via email and post. [14] [15]

A few days earlier, on March 10, 2022, the opposition published its version of the new Constitution that should have changed the state system to parliamentary instead of presidential. The opposition also offered to switch to White-red-white flag and Pahonia coat of arms, to abolish the death penalty, strengthen the Belarusian language and reform the state education system. [16] [17]

Former Minister of Education Ihar Karpienka  [ be; ru; be-tarask; pl; tr ] was appointed head of the Central Election Commission of Belarus, while longtime Chair of Election Commission Lidia Yermoshina was dismissed. [18] In the aftermath of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election educators, who generally work in local electoral commissions, were widely criticized for assistance in fraud. According to journalist Sergey Pulsha, one of Karpienka's main tasks was to draw more teachers to local committees to ensure specific results of the referendum, desired by the authorities. [19]

In January 2021, President Lukashenko announced that a new draft constitution would be prepared by the end of 2021. [20] On 27 December 2021, the proposed changes were published. [21] On January 20, 2022, Lukashenko signed a decree on setting the date of the referendum for February 27, 2022. [22] According to Belarusian law, the new Constitution enters into force 10 days after being officially published. [23]

The Belarusian National Centre of Legal Information  [ be-tarask ] received 8,919 letters from Belarusian citizens with proposals on amends to the Constitution. According to the Centre, more than 99% approved the changes, offered by the government. Only 13 letters supported the old version of the Constitution, 27 criticized the amendments. [24] There is a recorded case of legal prosecution of Nikolay Vitikov, a 68 years old Belarusian retiree, who sent his letter with proposals to a local newspaper. On January 4, 2022, law enforcement officers raided his house and detained him. He was charged under a ‘hate-sowing’ article of the Criminal Code, facing from 3 to 5 years in prison. Later the newspaper published an article claiming that it had reported the man because they found his letter offensive to the authorities, containing "fascist slogans" and "Judas kisses". The editors' office made derogatory comments about the man's opinions and intellectual capacity. [25] [26] Overall, nine criminal cases were opened in the run-up to the referendum. [27]

The first CEC session took place on January 21, 2022. More than 7 mln bulletins were printed for the voting. For the first time in Belarusian history, all bulletins were written in Russian. About $8.6 mln were spent for the referendum. [28] On January 27, the CEC ordered to remove curtains from polling booths and set 'youth patrols' to protect polling stations. The Commission explained its order to remove curtains as an anti-Covid measure, claiming that the secrecy of the ballot would not be violated. [29] [30] Karpienka claimed that curtains were removed for better ventilation. [31] Meanwhile, an independent political analyst Artyom Shreibman  [ be ] thought it was an intimidation step to make voters feel controlled and surveyed. [32]

The government launched a big promotion campaign to make people vote. They organized flash mobs, promo shows, filmed promo videos, some starring military officers. Audio advertising was played in public transport. [33]

Shortly before the referendum day, the CEC announced that names of election commission members would be classified. According to Karpienka, there have been threats against many of those who were in commissions during the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. [34] The step was widely criticized for violation of Belarusian Election Law, while the CEC representative denied all accusations. [35]

A constitutional reform in Russia in 2020 was supposedly the possible source of inspiration of the Belarusian constitutional changes, [21] along with Kazakhstan. [36]

Proposed changes

Drafts and Corrections

Proposed changes to the Constitution were published on 22 July 2021. [37] [38] [39]

Lukashenko ordered to refine the draft and demanded to be consulted about every article. The final edition was published on 20 January 2022, with a few minor changes made compared to the first version. [41] [42] [43]

Analysis

Some political analysts suggested that the main change in the constitution was legitimization of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly that was created by Lukashenko's regime. [21] [44] According to new Constitution, the Assembly would become the highest representative body that can choose members of CEC, assign judges of the Highest Court and the Constitutional Court, impeach presidents, rule state international politics, introduce bills before Parliament, submit amendments to the Constitution, etc. [42] [45] Political analysts suggested that Lukashenko planned to become both the head of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly and the president simultaneously, or can join the Assembly after his presidency to have influence over his successor. [44] Amendments returned the two-term limitation for president which had been cancelled by Lukashenko in 2004, but the limit would only start after the referendum, allowing Lukashenko to rule until 2035. [46] Another new clause noted by political analysts is complete legal immunity for former presidents for actions carried out while in office [47] and permanent membership of any former president in the Council of the Republic. [44] [48] Also Lukashenko is excluded from the new clause that prohibits holding two political positions simultaneously. [49] According to Belarusian oppositionist Pavel Latushko, Lukashenko couldn’t call for a referendum in the first place because he is not a legitimate president. [50]

Referendum organization

Overview

Territorial election commissions administer elections in Belarus under the supervision of the CEC and their members are selected by the various local, district, and regional councils. On January 26, 2022, 1,857 of 1,935 nominated candidates were formally selected as members for 153 territorial election commissions. [51] All nominated representatives for opposition parties and groups were rejected (20 applications from 3 parties were made, other parties refused to participate), while 99% of the nominated representatives for the five largest pro-government public associations and trade unions were selected. [52] [53] The most well-represented associations were pro-Lukashenko public associations — Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, Belaya Rus, Belarusian Female Union, Belarusian Republican Youth Union. [54] Total of 39,909 national observers had received accreditation. [55]

Preliminary voting was scheduled for 22 to 26 February. The referendum day was scheduled for February 27, 2022. [54] According to the CEC, 6,818,948 Belarusians had voting rights. 5,510 polling stations with 58,355 workers were opened across the country. [55]

Bulletin

The bulletin was written in Russian and had only one question: [56]

Принимаете ли Вы изменения и дополнения Конституции Республики Беларусь?
"Do you accept the amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus?" [57]

Observation

Four opposition parties (the United Civic Party, Green Party, Social Democratic Party (People's Assembly) and the BPF Party) declined to monitor the referendum citing political crisis and ongoing repressions as the reasons. [58]

International observers from SCO and CIS countries were invited to monitor the referendum. [59] Ilhom Nematov was assigned the CIS mission Head. [60] In its turn, the EU refused to send its observers, though there was news before that more than 30 representatives would arrive to monitor the voting. Belarusian authorities didn’t invite ODIHR. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei claimed that ODIHR reports ‘were written beforehand with deep prejudices and maximum political motivation’. [61] [62] Overall, 92 of 101 international observers of the referendum represented the CIS. [63] [55] Only when the voting started 22 independent observers from Austria, Germany, Spain, Lithuania, Italy, Ukraine, Serbia, Switzerland, and Estonia, were authorized to monitor the polling process. [64]

Early polling

The early polling started on February 22, 2022, and went for 4 days. The polling stations were open from 10AM to 2PM and then from 4PM to 7PM. Reinforced security measures were announced starting with the first day. [55] Two policemen were guarding every station and conducting videorecording. A special monitoring centre was established to process data from stations and monitor the polling. [65]

Criticism

Opposition response

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Pavel Latushko and several other opposition figures called for active boycott of the referendum by deliberate spoiling of ballots and this way turn the Referendum into a vote of no confidence. [66] [67] According to Pavel Latushko, Belarusians were not actually given any choice: the oppositionist explains that both new and old Constitutions seal Lukashenko's grip on power. [68] On December 18, 2021, Tikhanovskaya urged all Belarusians to come to polling stations at 2PM on the day of Referendum and greet each other in Belarusian language. This way people could gather en masse without threats of brutal police crackdown. [69] Later she called for peaceful antiwar protests at central squares of Belarusian cities. The opposition announced a meeting at 17:00 in front of the Ministry of Defence building in Minsk. [70] [71]

On the day of referendum, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, massive anti-war protests broke out across Belarus. [72] [73] More than 800 people were detained. [74] Later the police announced that even the drivers who were honking in support of protesters would be fined and stripped of driving licenses. [75]

Drawbacks of amendments

The Belarusian opposition criticized the proposed changes. Anatoly Lebedko claimed that the constitutional reform is the imitation of changes due to disregard for the Constitution as such. [21] He stressed that Belarus would remain a "superpresidential" republic with a formal "three-storeyed construction" (two chambers of the parliament and the All-Belarusian People's Assembly). [21] He believed that one the main addressees of the new constitution is Russian president Vladimir Putin. [21] Political analyst Andrey Yahorau  [ ru ] assumed that formal changes in the configuration of politics will be crucial during the "transit of power". [76] He also suggested that new Constitution can ease slow annexation of Belarus by Russia ("integration"). [76]

The amendments will also remove Article 18 that pledged that "the Republic of Belarus aims at making its territory a nuclear-free zone", worrying NATO that it could allow Russian nuclear weapons. [77]

European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) criticized the changes, saying they would exacerbate the current imbalance of powers in Belarus. The commission (which wasn't allowed to meet with Belarusian authorities) also criticized the opaque process of the development of the changes and lack of collaboration of the government, the opposition, the civil society and other interested parties. [78]

Flaws of polling

The government organized public discussion for the constitutional changes; however, it only lasted for 3 weeks which were filled with public holidays. Belarusian political scientist Valer Karbalevich  [ ru ] called the government-led discussion of the project a profanation. [79]

Several political analysts underlined that the Russian invasion of Ukraine blinded the media and society and helped Lukashenko to distract the public eye from the referendum. [80] [81]

After the referendum an independent initiative ‘Human Rights For Free Elections’, established by the ‘Viasna’ and the BHC, published a report on violations during the polling. According to the report, many observers found names of their deceased parents on electoral lists; the administrative capacities were used during active referendum campaigning; mandatory copies of electoral commissions' reports were absent at many polling stations. Multiple cases of forced voting under threats of dismissal from employment or universities were reported. [82] [83] In Brest, doctors at the children city hospital were asked to visit polling stations during working hours. [84]

An observer from the Belarusian Left Party "A Just World" Vadim Kuzmin had his accreditation annulled and was called to the General Prosecutor's office for reporting violations at his polling station. [85]

Results

The central elections commission stated that 65.2% of voters were in favor, with 10.1% reportedly voting against and a 78.6% turnout. [86]

ChoiceVotes%
For4,440,83086.64
Against684,94613.36
Invalid/blank votes233,627-
Total5,359,403100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,815,66778.63
TASS, SUDD

Reactions

The results were considered not surprising given government control, and external verification was not possible due to a lack of independent election monitors. Exiled opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya and other opposition figures called on Belarusians to use the vote to protest the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. [87] United States, Canada and several countries in the European Union, refused to recognize the results, condemned violations at the Referendum and noted there was no space for democracy and free voting in Belarus under Lukashenko's regime and his massive crackdown on opposition. [88] [89] [90] [91] [92]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Yuras Karmanau, Belarus calls referendum that could strengthen Lukashenko, Associated Press (January 20, 2022).
  2. ↑ Tony Wesolowsky, Belarus To Vote On Constitutional Changes Seen As Tightening Lukashenka's Grip On Power, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (February 26, 2022).
  3. ↑ Belarus votes to give up non-nuclear status, Al Jazeera (February 27, 2022).
  4. ↑ Belarus referendum approves proposal to renounce non-nuclear status - agencies, Reuters (February 27, 2022).
  5. 1 2 3 Yuras Karmanau, Belarus sheds neutral status in vote critics call rigged, Associated Press (February 28, 2022).
  6. ↑ "ЕС о референдуме: в условиях нарушения прав человека и жестоких репрессий" [EU on Referendum: Human Rights Violations and Massive Repressions] (in Russian). Euroradio. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  7. ↑ Ryhor Astapenia, Belarus’ new dubious constitution, International Politics and Society (March 3, 2022).
  8. ↑ Belarus: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the constitutional referendum, European External Action Service.
  9. ↑ U.S. Envoy To Belarus Says Referendum 'Unmistakably' Linked to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (March 1, 2022).
  10. ↑ "Лукашенко не исключает возможности корректировки Конституции Беларуси в соответствии с велениями времени" [Lukashenko thinks changes in state constitution are possible] (in Russian). BELTA. 2016-10-07. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  11. ↑ Kalukov, E. (2020-06-26). "Лукашенко анонсировал внесение решительных поправок в Конституцию" [Lukashenko announces amendments to Constitution]. RBC (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  12. ↑ "Власти Беларуси разработали план выхода из кризиса. Они собираются изменить Конституцию и провести новые выборы к 2022 году" [Belarusian Authorities Developed Anticrisis Road Map. They Are Going to Amend Constitution and Hold New Elections in 2022] (in Russian). Meduza. 2020-09-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  13. ↑ "Указ президента Республики Беларусь от 15 марта 2021 г. №105 «О Конституционной комиссии»" [Presidential Decree of March 15, 2021, on ‘Election Committee’]. Национальный правовой Интернет-портал Республики Беларусь (in Russian). 2021-03-17. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  14. ↑ "Проводится сбор предложений по изменению Конституции Республики Беларусь" [Submitting Proposals to Amend Constitution] (in Russian). Border Guard Service Institute of Belarus. 2021-03-24. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  15. ↑ "В Минске соберут предложения от граждан по изменению Конституции. Когда и куда обращаться" (in Russian). Administration of the Moscow district in Minsk. 2021-04-21. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  16. ↑ "Белорусская оппозиция в новой Конституции предлагает перейти к парламентской форме правления и оставить президенту представительские функции" [Belarusian Opposition Proposes Parliamentary Republic] (in Russian). Current Time TV. 2021-03-10. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  17. ↑ Makedonsky, A. (2021-03-10). "Команда Тихановской представила свой проект Конституции" [Team of Tikhanovskaya Publishes its Version of new Constitution]. TJ (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  18. ↑ Isachenko, A. (2021-12-17). "За что Лукашенко уволил бессменную главу ЦИК Ермошину; до 12 лет колонии за призывы к санкциям. Главное в Беларуси за неделю" [Why Lukashenko Dismissed Longtime Chair of Commission Yermoshina; Up to 12 Years in Prison for Calling for Sanctions]. BBC Russia (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  19. ↑ Сергей Пульша (2021-12-13). "Ярмошына vs Карпенка: Праблему не бачыш? А яна ёсць!" (in Belarusian). Novy Chas. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
  20. ↑ Balmforth, Tom (2021-01-10). "Lukashenko promises new Belarus draft constitution by end of this year". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Поправки в конституцию Беларуси: Лукашенко как отец нации и уступка Кремлю" [Amendments to Constitution:Lukashenko as Father of Nation and Concessions to Kremlin]. BBC News, Russian edition (in Russian). 27 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "Референдум по внесению изменений и дополнений в Конституцию назначен на 27 февраля" [Referendum on Constitution Amends Set for February 27] (in Russian). Belta. 2022-01-20. Archived from the original on 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  23. ↑ "Календарный план по подготовке и проведению референдума" [Referendum Schedule]. Belta (in Russian). 2022-01-25. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2022-01-26.
  24. ↑ "Почти 9 тысяч мнений и предложений по проекту изменений и дополнений Конституции: подведены итоги всенародного обсуждения" [More than 9 Letters: Nationwide Discussion Summary] (in Russian). National Legal Website Belarus. 2022-01-21. Archived from the original on 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  25. ↑ "Инициатива наказуема. Пожилой белорус отправил в газету предложения по Конституции и оказался в тюрьме" [Punished Initiative: Belarusian Retiree Imprisoned After Writing to Newspaper] (in Russian). E News. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  26. ↑ "Пожилой белорус отправил в газету предложения по Конституции и оказался в СИЗО" [Belarusian Retiree Imprisoned After Sending to Newspaper Proposals to Constitution] (in Russian). Vesti. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  27. ↑ "Следователи возбудили девять уголовных дел, связанных с предстоящим конституционным референдумом" [Nine Criminal Cases Opened before Referendum] (in Russian). Mediazona. 2022-02-18. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  28. ↑ "На референдум потратят 20 миллионов рублей" [20 Mln for Referendum] (in Russian). Nasha Niva. 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  29. ↑ "ЦИК снова распорядился убрать шторки с кабинок для голосования на референдуме" [CEC Removes Curtains from Polling Booths] (in Russian). Reform.by. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  30. ↑ "В Беларуси снимут шторки с кабинок для голосования" [Belarus: Polling Booths Curtains Will Be Removed Again] (in Russian). MIG News. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  31. ↑ "Глава ЦИК о референдуме: "Мы, например, убрали шторки с кабинок, чтобы проветривание лучше было"" [CEC Head on Referendum: We Removed Curtains for Better Ventilation] (in Russian). Evening Bobruisk. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  32. ↑ Boguslavskaya, A. (2022-02-01). "Что о стратегии оппозиции на референдуме говорят в Беларуси" [Belarus: What They Say About Opposition Strategy]. Deutsche Welle (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-02-06. Retrieved 2022-02-06.
  33. ↑ "В Беларуси крутят "рекламу" референдума. Посмотрели, как зазывают на участки избирателей сейчас и как это делали раньше" [Referendum in Belarus: How Authorities Lure People at Polling Stations]. News Zerkalo (in Russian). 2022-02-16. Archived from the original on 16 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  34. ↑ "В Беларуси засекретили имена членов УИК на референдуме по Конституции" [Belarus: CEC Classifies Names of Election Commission Members] (in Russian). Deutsche Welle. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  35. ↑ "Кому и зачем нужны персональные данные членов участковых комиссий?" [Who Needs Personal Data of Election Commissions Members?]. Belta (in Russian). 2022-02-20. Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  36. ↑ "Неудачный транзит: как события в Казахстане скажутся на ситуации в Беларуси". Deutsche Welle . 5 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  37. 1 2 "To 2035 and beyond Belarus unveils draft constitutional amendments, plans referendum for February 2022".
  38. ↑ "В Беларуси опубликован текст поправок к конституции". Deutsche Welle (in Russian). 27 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  39. ↑ Prokopyeva, O. (2021-08-11). "Появился проект новой Конституции. Там есть про гарантии бывшему президенту и "долг каждого"". Onliner.by (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  40. ↑ "Belarus approves hosting nuclear weapons, Russian forces permanently". France 24. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  41. ↑ "Лукашенко отправил на доработку предложенные ему поправки к Конституции Беларуси". Meduza (in Russian). 2021-07-30. Archived from the original on 2021-12-28. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  42. 1 2 Voronin, A. (2021-12-27). "Поправки в конституцию Беларуси: Лукашенко как отец нации и уступка Кремлю". BBC Russia (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  43. ↑ "Что изменилось в проекте Конституции, вынесенном на референдум" [What Changes Will Be Made to the Constitution]. reform.by (in Russian). 21 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  44. 1 2 3 "Мина замедленного действия: что значит проект конституции для Лукашенко?" [Timebomb: What Will New Constitution Mean to Lukashenko?]. Deutsche Welle (in Russian). 28 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  45. ↑ "Власти Беларуси показали поправки к Конституции. Они позволяют Лукашенко избираться еще дважды — а потом навсегда получить неприкосновенность" [New Constitution Will Allow Lukashenko Have Two More Terms and Then Receive Legal Immunity]. Meduza (in Russian). 2021-12-27. Archived from the original on 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  46. ↑ "Разбор. Ядерное оружие, российские войны и власть до 2035 года. Зачем Лукашенко меняет конституцию" [Nuclear Weapons, Russian Wars and Power Until 2035: Why Lukashenko Changes Constitution] (in Russian). 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  47. ↑ Matthias Williams and David Ljunggren (2022-02-28). "Belarus referendum approves proposal to renounce non-nuclear status - agencies". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-03-29.
  48. ↑ "Belarus' new dubious constitution". IPS. 2022-03-03. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
  49. ↑ "Появилась "идеология белорусского государства". Что еще изменили в проекте Конституции после "всенародного обсуждения"?" [Belarusian State Ideology and Other Changes to Constitution]. Telegraf.by (in Russian). 2022-01-21. Archived from the original on 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  50. ↑ Dzyadko, T. (2022-01-20). ""Мы считаем референдум преступлением": Павел Латушко рассказал о стратегии оппозиции на голосовании по поправкам в конституцию Беларуси" [‘We Consider It a Crime’: Latushko on Belarusian Constitutional Referendum] (in Russian). TV Rain. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  51. ↑ "Information on the nomination of representatives to the composition of territorial commissions for a referendum" (PDF). rec.gov.by (in Russian). Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  52. ↑ "Information on the composition of territorial commissions for a referendum" (PDF). rec.gov.by (in Russian). Central Commission of the Republic of Belarus. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  53. ↑ "Analytical report on the formation of territorial election commissions" (PDF). Referendum-2022. Belarusian Helsinki Committee. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  54. 1 2 "В территориальных избиркомах на референдуме по Конституции не будет оппозиции" (in Russian). 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  55. 1 2 3 4 "FAQs: Belarus Constitutional Referendum" (PDF). International Foundation for Electoral Systems. 2022-02-27. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 27, 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  56. ↑ "В Беларуси рассказали, как будет выглядеть бюллетень на референдуме 27 февраля" (in Russian). Komsomolskaya Pravda Belarus. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  57. ↑ "Referendum on amendment of Belarusian Constitution scheduled for February 27". TASS. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
  58. ↑ "Дэмакратычныя партыі не будуць ладзіць сумеснае назіранне за рэферэндумам". euroradio.fm (in Belarusian). 30 December 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  59. ↑ "ЦИК Беларуси приглашает иностранных наблюдателей на конституционный референдум" [Belarusian CEC Invites International Observers to Referendum]. ОНТ (in Russian). ONT TV. 2022-02-01. Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  60. ↑ "Миссию наблюдателей от СНГ на референдуме в Беларуси возглавит Ильхом Нематов" (in Russian). Belta. 2022-02-01. Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  61. ↑ "Минск предлагал ОБСЕ обсудить наблюдение за референдумом, заявил Макей" [Minsk Offered ODIHR Observers Come to Referendum] (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  62. ↑ "Без приглашения: миссия ОБСЕ не приедет на референдум в Беларусь" [ODIHR Mission Will Not Monitor Belarus Referendum] (in Russian). MIR 24 Tv. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  63. ↑ "The European Union will not send observers to the Belarusian referendum". Motolko Help. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  64. ↑ "В Белоруссии на референдум аккредитованы наблюдателями западные эксперты" [International Experts Accredited as Observers at Belarusian Referendum]. TASS (in Russian). 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  65. ↑ "Референдум усиленного режима: как милиция будет охранять избирательные участки" [Medium Security Referendum: Police Guarding Polling Stations]. Human Rights Activists centre Vyasna (in Russian). 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2022-02-28.
  66. ↑ "Оппозиция Беларуси хочет сорвать референдум по конституции. Это сработает?". Deutsche Welle (in Russian). Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  67. ↑ Perunovskaya, A. (2021-11-23). "Оппозиция Беларуси хочет сорвать референдум по конституции. Это сработает?" [Belarusian Opposition Wants to Disrupt the Referendum]. Deutsche Welle (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  68. ↑ Kuznetsov, S. (2021-12-22). "Lukashenko has a new scheme to hang on to power in Belarus". Politico.EU. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  69. ↑ "Тихановская призывает прийти на избирательные участки во время референдума" [Tikhanovskaya Urges to Vote at Referendum] (in Russian). Belsat. 2022-01-21. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  70. ↑ "Власти Беларуси ответили массовыми задержаниями на протесты в основной день референдума по поправкам в Конституцию" [Massive Crackdown by Belarusian Authorities on Referendum Day] (in Russian). Amnesty.org. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  71. ↑ Kozyr, V. (2022-02-27). "Тихановская призвала белорусов выходить на митинги против войны" [Tikhanivskaya Urges Belarusians to Protest Against War] (in Russian). Segodnya. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  72. ↑ "Anti-war protests break out as Belarus votes to renounce non-nuclear status". Asia CNA. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  73. ↑ Falconer, Rebecca (2022-02-28). "Hundreds arrested at anti-war protests in Russia and Belarus". AXIOS. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  74. ↑ "Протесты и задержания: как прошел референдум по Конституции Беларуси" [Protests and Arrests: Referendum in Belarus] (in Russian). Deutsche Welle. 2022-02-28. Archived from the original on 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  75. ↑ "Во время референдума в Белоруссии задержали около 800 человек" [More than 800 Detained at Anti War Protests in Belarus] (in Russian). RIA News. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  76. 1 2 "Андрей Егоров: "Людям тоже ведь надо объяснять: почему работаем больше, а получаем меньше? Да потому что война!"" (in Russian). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  77. ↑ Amanda Coakley (26 February 2022). "Belarus Vote to Amend Constitution Worries NATO". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  78. ↑ "Венецианская комиссия о ситуации в Беларуси: поправки к Конституции, вынесенные на референдум, не способны устранить существующий сильный дисбаланс между ветвями власти". Council of Europe (in Russian). 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  79. ↑ Valer Karbalevich (2022-01-22). "Валерий Карбалевич: РЕФЕРЕНДУМ КАК СПОСОБ ИМИТАЦИИ НАРОДНОГО ВОЛЕИЗЪЯВЛЕНИЯ" [Fake Referendum as Sham Plebiscit] (in Russian). SN-Plus. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  80. ↑ Poplavsky, A. (2022-02-28). ""Лукашенко превращается в пожизненного президента"" [Lukashenko Looks for Lifetime Presidency]. Газета.ру (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  81. ↑ Amanda Coakley (2022-02-26). "Belarus Vote to Amend Constitution Worries NATO". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  82. ↑ "1 Предварительный аналитический отчет экспертной миссии по оценке республиканского референдума по вопросу внесения изменений и дополнений в Конституцию Республики Беларусь 2022 года" [Preliminary Analysis of 2022 Belarusian Constitutional Referendum]. Viasna Human Rights Centre (in Russian). 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  83. ↑ "Аналитический отчет об оценке этапа агитации" [Active Referendum Campaigning: Analytical Report]. Viasna Human Rights Centre (in Russian). 2022-02-27. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
  84. ↑ Khalip, I. (2022-02-23). "В Беларуси людей снова гонят на мертворожденный референдум по Конституции имени Лукашенко. Несогласных — сажают" [People of Belarus Forced to Vote at Fake Referendum to Support Lukashenko's Constitution] (in Russian). Novaya Gazeta. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  85. ↑ "После жалобы в Витебске наблюдателя лишили аккредитации и вызвали в прокуратуру" [Independent Observer Called to General Prosecutor for Reporting Violations at Polling Station] (in Russian). Belsat. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  86. ↑ Karmanau, Yuras (28 February 2022). "Belarus sheds neutral status in vote critics call rigged". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  87. ↑ Irwin, Ruairidh (8 March 2022). "Belarus: Dictator Łukašenka Tries To Shore Up His Legitimacy, While Belarusians Protest". Europe Elects. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  88. ↑ Samuel Benson (2022-03-15). "U.S. sanctions Belarus president, more Russian officials". Politico. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  89. ↑ "Canada condemns fraudulent constitutional referendum in Belarus". Government of Canada. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
  90. ↑ Ahmet Gurhan Kartal (2022-02-28). "Belarus constitutional referendum fails to meet standards, UK says". AA. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  91. ↑ "Belarus: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the constitutional referendum". EU External Action. 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  92. ↑ "Statement on Belarus Referendum". OSCE US Mission. 2022-01-27. Retrieved 2022-04-01.
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