Belarus conducted its first election since the political crackdown began approximately 3.5 years ago, in a highly controlled environment without international observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), a move the OSCE deemed “deeply regrettable.” This lack of observation continues from the 2020 elections, which were widely criticized by the US and EU as fraudulent, leading to significant protests and a severe government crackdown on opposition, civil society, and media, resulting in thousands jailed or fleeing the country.