Russia began this Friday municipal and regional elections, which last three days and in which more than 44 million voters can participate in person and by electronic vote.
More than 38,000 polling stations will be open across the country between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in different Russian time zones this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
According to the Russian electoral authorities, more than 31,000 deputies and officials will be elected in 82 regions of the country, including 14 governors, for whom more than 44 million voters throughout the country will be able to vote.
The president of the Russian electoral commission, Ella Pamfilova, described the electoral campaign as “quite competitive, energetic and lively”, although she noted that it was one of the “most relaxed” of the last decade.
The director of the Russian Center for Political Analysis and Social Research said that it will be a very competitive election in which “80% of Russian political parties” will participate.
“Eleven parties participate in the elections for governors and 22 [dos 28 existentes] in regional and municipal,” Pavel Danilin added to the Russian news agency TASS.
Still, some opposition candidates accused the electoral authorities of disqualifying them under different pretexts.
Unlike previous years, the electoral campaign has hardly been felt, nor have there been demonstrations of support or protests against the elections.
In Moscow, the elections will cover 125 of the capital’s 146 municipalities, electing 1,417 municipal deputies from a total of more than 5,700 candidates.
For the first time in history, the electoral commission delegated the choice of voting times to regional authorities.
In 26 regions, voting will be open for three days, up to two in 15 regions. Only one region will vote on a single day, September 11.
In addition, early voting was allowed, an option chosen by some 16,500 voters from 23 Russian regions.
Source: TSF
