With many of his political opponents either jailed or exiled abroad, the 70-year-old Lukashenko is back on the ballot

In power since 1994, Alexander Lukashenko is assured of a new five-year term in a vote that the exiled opposition describes as a sham. It has called on Belarusians to tick a box that allows them to reject all the candidates on offer.

Belarus will hold a "presidential election," which experts describe as a hollow spectacle and a disinformation manoeuvre. Alyaksandr Lukashenka aims to demonstrate his strength and control over the country through this maneuver.

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has accused Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko of playing games with the West by drip-feeding releases of political prisoners ahead of an election on Sunday in which he is set to extend his 31-year rule.