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- According to observers, there have been irregularities in the election of new governors and regional parliaments in Russia.
- More than 1,000 reports of possible violations have already been received, said Grigori Melkonjanz, co-chair of the independent electoral observation group Golos, the Echo Moskwy radio station.
- In the regions of the country, millions of people were called to vote.
There are also cases of deliberate electoral fraud, said election observer Melkonjanz. Additionally, election observers reported obstacles to their work. Violence was also used. “There are reports of forced voting and bribery in many regions.”
Some polling stations were already open on Friday. According to their own statements, the authorities wanted to reduce the risk of infection by the corona virus. Critics feared manipulation because it would be difficult to control the elections for three days.
Great discontent in the country
The regional elections are an important test of sentiment, also for next year’s parliamentary elections. Due to the crown crisis, unemployment has risen enormously in the world’s largest country in terms of area. Experts spoke of great discontent in the country.
The vote also has the impression of the poisoning of the opponent Alexej Navalny, who has been treated in Berlin for three weeks. His team had asked voters to vote for any candidate except the United Russia Kremlin party to break its power.
First polling stations closed
Meanwhile, the first polling stations closed in eastern Russia. The country has eleven time zones. The election of new governors in 18 regions was particularly important for the Kremlin in Moscow. Municipal elections were also pending in 22 cities. In total there were more than 9,000 different elections at different levels.
It was the first election since the controversial referendum on a new constitution, which gives the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, significantly more powers and allows him to remain in power until 2036. A good number of people in the country are dissatisfied due to the situation economic in Russia, especially as the number of unemployed has increased again as a result of the crown crisis.
In the east of the country, thousands of people take to the streets every week against the excessive influence of Moscow. Significant election results, including the long-awaited performance of the United Russia Kremlin party, are not expected until Monday.
