Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Belarus on Friday announced presidential polls will be held in August as Alexander Lukashenko has sought to play down the risks of the coronavirus pandemic.

Parliament approved the election date of 9 August in a vote Friday morning.

The president opted not to postpone the vote despite the coronavirus pandemic as the ex-Soviet country has not imposed a lockdown and has continued to hold public events including football matches.