Residents of the Ukrainian territories occupied by Moscow are being encouraged by the Russian authorities to participate in the presidential election.
A presidential election without suspense has begun in Russia. In the Ukrainian regions occupied by Moscow, polling stations even opened earlier to encourage residents to cast their ballots and give the impression of high turnout.
Many people say they have been visited by mobile voting commissions at their homes, urging them to fill out their ballots right at the door. Moscow justifies these measures by “increased security threat”.
Kyiv calls for caution and reassures these citizens that voting under threat will not harm them.
“Most people ask how they can avoid voting and what Ukrainian law says if they are forced to vote anyway, and how they can inform the Ukrainian authorities. We only have one piece of advice: under occupation, the most important thing is to survive, stay alive and maintain your health. If you are forced to vote or participate in an illegal process, you will not be held accountable under the law.” says Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhia region.
Ukraine has already described this election as “illegal simulacrum” and will not recognize the results, while specifying that Ukrainian citizens who actively help the occupation authorities in organizing the election will be prosecuted.
Russia has already organized several elections in the areas of Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Lugansk, the annexation of which it proclaimed more than a year ago, in September 2022.