The pre-arranged results were intended to demonstrate the semblance of normalcy and popular support for the Kremlin two and a half years after Russia’s massive invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Some 58 million Russians in 83 of the country’s 89 regions were called to vote from Friday to Sunday in local “elections” whose pre-arranged results were intended to demonstrate a semblance of normalcy and popular support for the Kremlin two and a half years after Russia’s massive invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
A notable fact is that the authorities preferred not to cancel the vote in the Kursk region, of which Ukraine controls more than 1,300 square kilometers after its Surprise raid in early August and more than 120,000 inhabitants were evacuated or displaced by the fighting.
The so-called “elections” were also held in annexed Crimea, in a fleeting sign of Moscow’s control – but not in the temporarily occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine.
According to the “results” of the vote, candidates nominated by the Kremlin won all the “elections” of governors, while three former members of the government won a seat of the Duma deputy.
The Interior Ministry said there were no violations that could affect the election results during the three days of voting. However, as in all previous elections, independent observers – where they were allowed – recorded violations during the three days of voting.
