Elections to the State Duma of Russia: how to vote in Belarus

In Russia started a single day of voting in the State Duma. 10 political parties and candidates for the deputy seat in single-member constituencies participate in the elections. If the favorites of the race, as prescribed by Russian law, are not discussed now, then the percentage of voter turnout remains debatable. Estimates in the region of 50%, many experts consider real. The lower house of parliament is given legitimacy. Much depends on the assessments of observers. They also started working on September 18.

Svetlana Karulskaya, correspondent: On a single voting day, Russians will elect a new, ninth composition of the State Duma. These are 225 deputies from parties according to lists and 225 deputies in single-member constituencies. In addition, some regions will vote for candidates for the gubernatorial seats and local authorities. But since the main company is still federal, the CEC determined the duration of the voting. This time – three days – from 18 to 20 September.

Since 8 a.m., about 90,000 polling stations have opened across the country. Some citizens have already voted: these are remote and border areas of Russia. International observers have also started their work today. Including Belarus. As part of the missions, our current deputies are a high-level parliamentary dimension in the Union State, so the interest is understandable. In addition, Belarusian diplomats are observers.

Irina Akulovich, Minister-Counselor of the Belarusian Embassy in Russia, foreign (international) observer: We will work all three days: Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The first place I visited was 105. This is the famous high-rise on the Kotelnitsky embankment. I wanted to see the situation and understand how the process was organized. We have no right to interfere in elections. I would like to draw your attention and remind you that the elections that took place in Belarus in 2020, and the way the diplomats who were accredited in Minsk behaved, were people who did not observe the elections, but actively interfered in them. Naturally, we do not repeat such mistakes, and, in principle, Belarus has never behaved in this way.”.

In addition to international observers, a large network of public observers is involved in Russia this year – more than 110,000 people. But well-known by subjective assessments of companies, including in Belarus, the OSCE ODIHR was not invited to Russia. Moscow has repeatedly said that the elections are an internal affair, especially against the background of strained relations with Europe. However, several hundred polling stations will open to voters abroad. In the list, where the host country did not put obstacles, 152 countries.

Svetlana Karulskaya, correspondent: Citizens of Russia and Belarus will be able to vote in the State Duma elections. But only September 20th. Seven sites will be opened – in the capital, five regional centers and Bobruisk. This will be the right of those Russians who live with us permanently, and those who will be in Belarus this Sunday, for example, on vacation or business trip. Those people who for health reasons will not be able to come to the polling station themselves can contact the hotline at the Russian Embassy in Minsk to organize voting at home.