The 1996 constitutional amendments created the bicameral National Assembly of Belarus to replace the Supreme Council, which was a stronghold of opposition towards populist president Alexander Lukashenko.
In accordance with 1994 Constitution, they called presidential election on 16 May 1999, as from Council's point of view Lukashenko's term was due to end in July.
According to Popular Front deputy chairman Lyavon Barshchewski, 114,000 signatures were gathered in support of Pazniak.
After the voting started, Zianon Pazniak withdrew his candidacy due to "numerous violations by Hanchar during the campaign".
[7] On 21 August 1999, deputies of the Supreme Council appointed its last chairman Syamyon Sharetski acting president of Belarus.