Lukashenko set for victory

Belarus's liberal opposition urged thousands of supporters demanding a new presidential poll to disperse from a square peacefully yesterday as official returns gave incumbent Alexander Lukashenko a huge lead.

With 17 per cent of the vote counted in yesterday's contest, Mr Lukashenko had 89 per cent while his main challenger Alexander Milinkevich had scored 3.8 per cent, Lidyia Yermoshina, head of the central election commission, told state television.

Mr Lukashenko, accused by the West of crushing human rights and falsifying elections during 12 years in power, says his rivals are Western-funded troublemakers. In the campaign's final days, he vowed to "wring the necks" of anyone violating public order.

In one of the largest opposition rallies in Belarus in recent years, at least 10,0000 demonstrators defied official warnings to stay away and converged on central October Square after polls closed.

Police at the scene were not impeding the demonstrators, who were waving dozens of EU and blue opposition flags and the white and red national colours banned by Mr Lukashenko. But witnesses said riot police were massing in adjacent streets. Braving freezing temperatures and snow, many brought flowers in a sign that their protest was peaceful.

Following mass upheavals that brought pro-Western leaders to power in Georgia and Ukraine, Mr Lukashenko has taken no chances, securing passage of tough legislation against illegal assembly.

Election officials said turnout of the just over seven million voters stood at about 90 per cent by 1600 GMT. Preliminary results were expected by midnight.

Long before voting ended, two pro-government institutes had issued "exit polls" showing Mr Lukashenko capturing more than 80 per cent to about four per cent for his main rival.

Mr Lukashenko, known as "batka" or father, tells Belarussians he has offered stability and remains popular among elderly and rural voters.