The Russian deputies adopted this Wednesday, July 15, amendments authorizing the organization of elections over a period of up to three days and outside the usual voting places, an initiative denounced by the opposition who fears that it does not facilitate fraud.
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The Duma, the lower house of parliament, said in a statement that these amendments to the electoral law authorize the organization of elections " outside polling stations, in places and on territories suitable for holding the ballot ”. " It is notably a question of places close to dwellings, or public places ", continues the press release.
The text was validated at second reading, the most important in the Russian legislative system. It must soon be voted on at third and final reading. These changes come after the organization of a disputed vote over a week, from June 25 to July 1, to validate a constitutional reform that has, among other things, strengthened the powers of President Vladimir Putin.
“Killing for good” the electoral system
In an unprecedented way, makeshift voting places were then installed in parks, on public benches or even tree stumps, without taking great care for the secrecy of the vote. Authorities argue that these measures are justified in the fight against the coronavirus epidemic, but opponents have denounced a way to falsify the results, according to which the reform was officially approved by almost 78% of voters.
Reacting to these amendments, a municipal opposition member of Moscow, Yulia Galiamina, on Wednesday regretted on her Facebook account a means " of killing for good " the Russian electoral system. Quoted by his party, the deputy Sergei Mironov, member of the Just Russia party, yet close to the Kremlin, also criticized this measure, claiming that it would jeopardize the " legitimacy " of the polls.
For their part, assessors published an open letter online, signed Wednesday by nearly 870 people, against ballots over three days on the grounds that they could degrade their working conditions. Regional elections are scheduled for next September in Russia and legislative elections a year later.
