Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pardoned 15 prisoners on Friday in what state media called a humanitarian gesture, two days before an election in which he is set to extend his 31-year rule.

Belarusians go to the polls this weekend to vote in a presidential election that is almost certain to see incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko returned to office for a seventh term. The country was rocked by the largest mass protests since independence in the massively falsified previous elections in August 2020,

According to EU officials, the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus are considered undemocratic, with calls for the release of political prisoners evident.

NBC News’ Yasmin Vossoughian reports on questions surrounding the legitimacy of the Belarus presidential election as Lukashenko tightens his grip on power.

President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia’s leader, Vladimir V. Putin, has been making signs of reaching out to the West. He is all but certain to win an election on Sunday.