A big day for Belarus.

Almost 42% turnout reported in early voting in presidential elections.

Most will be state employees; many under pressure to vote the 'right way'

Opposition challenger Tikhanovskaya called on her supporters to vote today - & keep a close eye out for fraud

Opposition election monitors who spent days at polling stations say this number is heavily inflated.

Several counted only half that number of voters where they were, at most.

No prizes for guessing who Alexander Lukashenko voted for - to a live commentary on state TV:

'He's in a very good mood!' as he japes about the pen.

'A lovely gesture', as he hands a bouquet to the electoral official.

Not a face mask in sight vs Covid https://twitter.com/dimsmirnov175/status/1292374526697910272?s=20

Big queues of voters at Belarusian embassies all over the world.

This is Prague, posted by https://t.me/UsyLukashenko  - complete with one of the opposition anthems, 'Break the Prison Walls!'

Similar scenes in Moscow & Warsaw.

Lukashenko, after voting:

'Nothing will get out of control, I guarantee.'

'We can't underestimate the situation, but there is no basis whatsoever for saying the country will be plunged into chaos or confrontation from tomorrow, or some kind of civil war'

Lukashenko claims he's 'ready for dialogue' with opponents but warns:

'What do you want? To try to overturn the authorities?'

'If you are going to fight against the country, try to…push it into chaos and instability – then you will meet an immediate response from me.'

Meanwhile, Putin's handed Lukashenko a way out of the Wagner mercenaries 'scandal', as Rsn intelligence now calls the whole thing a 'provocation' by Ukraine

Putin sent Luka a letter, setting out the 'plot'.
Luka: 'If someone wants to ruin our rels with Russia, it won't happen!'