The chairman of the public organization "Belarusian Officers' Union," Bobrikov, stated that his decision to withdraw from the elections was a "serious, difficult one and not made easily."
It was allegedly made after "numerous appeals from officers," who requested to "preserve the country, ensure its stability," and support Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in power in Belarus since 1994.
Colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chemodanova, was running for president as a representative of the Belarusian Women's Union. "Deutsche Welle" notes that she has always supported Lukashenko's government and is regarded as the "main ideologist of Minsk."
Chemodanova explained her refusal to compete for the position by stating that allegedly no one but Lukashenko "can ensure the country's security" and "the progressive development" of the state of Belarus.