Minsk: According to Anadolu, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was sworn in for the seventh time on Tuesday, cementing his position as the nation’s leader.

The Ceremonial Hall, the largest space inside Minsk’s Palace of Independence, served as the site of the inauguration event. The official procedures were witnessed by more than 1,100 people. The importance of the event was underscored by the carrying of the presidential standard and the Belarusian national flag into the hall just before Lukashenko’s arrival.

Lukashenko took the formal oath of office during the ceremony and put his right hand on the Constitution. The national anthem was played after the event, signifying the official handover of authority for his new term. Lukashenko was subsequently given the formal presidential certificate by the head of the Central Election Commission, which validated the election’s outcome.

Lukashenko won the January 26 presidential election, securing another term in government. He garnered more than 5.1 million votes, or approximately 87% of all ballots cast, according to the official vote tally. According to Anadolu, the result strengthened his hold on power and extended his decades-long administration.

In a meeting on February 3, the Central Election Commission officially recognized the election results, paving the way for Lukashenko’s most recent term as head of state of Belarus and validating his win.