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In the capital Minsk, hundreds of protesters walked and applauded peacefully, and passing drivers pushed the signals from the cars, supporting them.
The protests also took place in many other cities, including Brest, Grodno, and Gomel.
The Viasna human rights group reported that more than 35 people were detained by the security forces, including several journalists.
Ales Pileckis, a correspondent for the Belarusian office of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE / RL), was arrested during a live broadcast in Minsk. The arrests of several other media reporters have been reported through social media.
On Tuesday morning, the Central Election Commission refused to register two major opposition candidates, Viktor Babaryk and Valery Cepkal, arguing for rule violations due to incorrectly filled in income statements and an insufficient number of collected citizen signatures.
A new wave of opposition candidates led the protests this summer to prevent Belarusian leader Lukashenko, 65, from being reelected for another term.
Lukashenko, former president of the collective farm, has held the presidency for the past 26 years since its inception. In the August 9 elections, he will seek to secure his sixth term. The head of state will have to compete with four candidates, including an opposition activist.
Elections 9 million in a country with a population of more than 65 thousand. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus infection. Following the coronavirus outbreak, Lukashenko refused to impose strict quarantine measures.
The electoral commission unanimously decided not to register as candidate A. Lukashenko’s main rival, former banker V. Babaryka, 56, who was arrested in June for alleged financial crimes.
Another popular opposition figure, former Belarus ambassador to the United States and former head of the high-tech park, V. Cepkala, 55, was also denied registration.
On Tuesday night, the Belarusian Interior Ministry warned residents not to participate in “illegal mass events.”
“The Interior Ministry claims that a chain of websites and users outside the Republic of Belarus encourages citizens to choose to carry out unauthorized actions on the streets of our country’s cities,” the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry added that the militia will take all measures to maintain public order and prevent illegal activities.
“Any provocation will stop in accordance with current laws,” the report said.
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