Russia gears up for regional and municipal elections in 81 federal subjects, starting Friday, marking the second major voting event this year after the March presidential election. Despite widespread reports of tampering during the presidential vote, media coverage of the upcoming elections has been minimal, indicating a potential strategy to reduce voter turnout and secure wins for Kremlin-backed candidates, according to analysts.
The voting will feature multi-day options in most regions, with some, like Chechnya and Tatarstan, opting for single-day voting. Online voting will be available in 25 regions and entirely replacing paper ballots in Moscow. However, concerns about voter fraud have been raised due to expanded voting periods and online options, limiting oversight.
Key Points:
– 21 regions will vote for governors, with contentious races in Zabaikalsky, Altai, and Kalmykia.
– Bashkortostan faces scrutiny as the Kremlin-backed incumbent seeks reelection amidst protests and corruption scandals.
– Regional parliaments will be elected in 11 areas, focusing on low political party representation and repressive actions against politicians.
– City mayors and parliaments will be chosen in 22 regions, with some locations favoring direct elections.
Looking Ahead:
Occupied territories like Crimea and the Kursk region face contentious elections with notable security precautions. The Kremlin’s control over candidate selection and election processes remains a prevalent theme throughout the various races.
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