For example, the organization Golos reported on Telegram on Saturday about the pressure exerted on voters and how observers sometimes did not have access to the electoral rolls.
In Russia’s regional elections scheduled for Sunday, independent observers have already reported violations and fraud in many places. For example, the organization Golos (German: Voice) reported on Telegram on Saturday about the pressure exerted on voters and the fact that Golos observers sometimes do not have access to the electoral rolls.
The organization has been labeled a “foreign agent” for years and is a thorn in the side of the Russian power apparatus. Just a few weeks ago, its co-president, Grigory Melkonyants, was arrested. Independent Russian media outlets such as the Medusa portal also reported violations in the elections, which will determine governors in 22 regions and regional parliaments in 16. For example, in the mayoral elections in Moscow, members of the electoral commission reportedly exchanged ballot papers. There were reports of vote buying in the city of Bratsk, Siberia. In southern Russia, election observers were reportedly intimidated when summoned to military district replacement offices.
Putin voted online
President Vladimir Putin voted in the country’s local and regional elections via online voting on Saturday. “I appeal to residents of regions where elections are currently taking place to participate,” Putin said in a video distributed by the Kremlin, in which he is shown sitting in front of a computer in his office.
Given the massive repression against opposition members in Russia, independent observers describe the elections as the least free elections since the beginning of President Vladimir Putin’s rule some 24 years ago.
A year and a half after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine, the Kremlin also called mock elections in four annexed Ukrainian regions. However, the results of these votes organized by the occupying power are not recognized internationally. (APA)