The Russian authorities plan to hold elections in the annexed regions of Ukraine, but are ready to postpone them if “the situation deteriorates sharply,” Ella Pamfilova, head of the Russian Central Election Commission, said.
“Four of our new constituent entities of the Russian Federation are taking part in the elections for the first time. We understand that the situation is difficult, we understand that martial law. <…> If circumstances of unforeseen force arise, that is, in some area the situation deteriorates sharply and we understand that there is a serious danger to the life and health of residents, then we have the right to postpone the elections there, ”Pamfilova said at a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin ( quote from RIA Novosti).
According to her, in preparing elections in the annexed territories, the CEC works “very closely” with the FSB and the Ministry of Defense. In particular, in agreement with the security forces, the regions were recommended to shorten the duration of all electoral procedures.
The single voting day in Russia in 2023 is scheduled for September 10. On this day, elections of senior officials will be held in 20 subjects of the Russian Federation. In the annexed Kherson, Zaporozhye, Donetsk and Lugansk regions, deputies of legislative bodies, as well as municipalities, will be elected.
In order to hold elections in the regions under martial law, the Russian authorities had to amend the law “On Martial Law”. They were accepted in May of this year.
The President of Russia announced the annexation of four regions of Ukraine, which were partially occupied by the Russian army, on September 30, 2022. This was Putin’s response to the success of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which liberated part of the Kharkov and Kherson regions from occupation. A month after the annexation, the Russian army surrendered Kherson to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Since June 4 this year, Ukraine has been conducting a counteroffensive. According to the official data of the Ministry of Defense of the country, Kyiv managed to free 158.4 square meters. km of territory, including in Zaporozhye, Kherson and Donetsk regions. According to the DeepStateMap.Live project, from June 4 to July 2, Ukraine returned 142.5 sq. km, of which about 124 sq. km are on the southern front.
Source : moscowtimes
