The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, has won overwhelming approval in a referendum to allow him to run for a third term in office.
However, there have been widespread allegations of vote rigging with the EU and the United States voicing doubts on the poll's validity.
The proposal to alter the constitution so that Mr Lukashenko could seek re-election after his current term ends in 2006 was supported by 77.3% of registered voters.
Almost 90% of voters had cast ballots in the referendum.
Approval from over 50% of registered voters was required for the constitutional amendment to pass.
Seven million voters were also electing a new 110-seat parliament which the president had already vowed would not include a single opponent of his rule.
The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe said the referendum had been conducted in a climate of fear.
