Voting in Russia’s three-day local and regional elections began on Friday, with Kremlin-backed candidates expected to dominate a political landscape lacking meaningful competition. Voters will elect governors in 21 regions, legislative assembly members in 13 regions, including annexed Crimea, and various local officials. In the Kursk region, some municipal elections were postponed after a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces, but the gubernatorial race proceeded as planned. Local election officials in the Kursk region were equipped with safety gear as voting began, and turnout in the embroiled border region had already reached 40%.
Moscow, where all 45 members of its City Duma are being elected, has switched to online voting, eliminating paper ballots. A total of 25 regions are offering online voting in this election cycle, though concerns have been raised by state employees who feel pressured to vote online. The liberal opposition party Yabloko had all its candidates barred from running in St. Petersburg’s local elections, while nearly 60 candidates from the party made the ballot in races across eight regions. An independent election watchdog reported over 250 complaints of violations in the first hours of voting on Friday. The Central Election Commission is expected to release the voting results by Sept. 28.
Russia’s Ethnic Republics are seeing pro-Kremlin heads running for reelection without popular support being essential. Meanwhile, the situation in the Kursk region, where some municipal elections were postponed due to a cross-border incursion by Ukrainian forces, highlights the ongoing challenges facing regional elections in Russia. Despite safety concerns, the gubernatorial race proceeded as planned, showcasing the resilience of the electoral process in the face of conflict. The presence of bulletproof vests and helmets among local election officials underscores the tension surrounding the elections in certain regions.
Yabloko, a liberal opposition party advocating for a ceasefire in Ukraine, faced obstacles in some regions but managed to have multiple candidates make it onto the ballot. This demonstrates the perseverance of opposition parties in navigating the Russian political landscape. With over 250 complaints of violations reported in the initial hours of voting, concerns about the integrity of the electoral process persist. The elimination of paper ballots in Moscow and the introduction of online voting raise questions about the transparency and fairness of the elections, particularly with reports of state employees feeling pressured to vote online.
The elections in Russia raise significant concerns about the state of democracy and political competition in the country. The dominance of Kremlin-backed candidates, restrictions on opposition parties, and reports of voting irregularities paint a challenging picture for the electoral process. The actions of the Central Election Commission and the responses to complaints and violations will play a crucial role in determining the legitimacy of the results. The ongoing challenges faced by independent media outlets like The Moscow Times highlight the broader issues of freedom of the press and the importance of supporting independent journalism in the face of repression.
In conclusion, the local and regional elections in Russia highlight the complex landscape of political competition and challenges to democracy in the country. Despite concerns about the integrity of the voting process, the resilience of opposition parties and the dedication of election watchdogs to monitor violations demonstrate a commitment to upholding democratic principles. The outcome of the elections and the response of the Central Election Commission to complaints will be critical in determining the legitimacy of the results. In a climate of government pressure on independent media, supporting outlets like The Moscow Times is essential for defending open, independent journalism in Russia.
