Voice for the future of the Motherland. See how in Brest is voting in the elections to the state Duma of Russia

On September 20, the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Brest has one of the seven polling stations open in Belarus for voting in the elections of deputies of the State Duma of the ninth convocation. From 8:00 to 20:00 at the polling station No. 8043, citizens of Russia permanently residing in the republic or temporarily staying on its territory can vote on federal party lists.

Eight in the morning. The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Brest opens its doors to the first voters. At polling station No. 8043, everything is ready for voting. Members of the commission check documents, find names in lists, issue ballots. A few steps to the cockpit and the choice becomes part of the overall result.

The veterans of the Armed Forces are among the first to come. After them are people of different ages and with different stories. Some have been living in Belarus for a long time, others have moved here recently or have only come for a few days. Everyone has their own business and plans outside the consulate, but today their route passes through the polling station.

Russia elects the State Duma of the ninth convocation. The new composition of the lower house of parliament will work for five years - to pass laws, approve the federal budget, consider domestic and foreign policy issues. Therefore, behind the short and seemingly mundane procedure – getting a ballot, going to the cockpit, making a mark – there is a specific political decision.

The State Duma has 450 seats. Half of the deputies are elected on party lists, another 225 in single-member constituencies. Ten parties participate in the federal campaign. To obtain representation in parliament, a political association must gain at least five percent of the vote. In a single-mandate district, the candidate who was supported by more voters wins.

In Russia, voting takes place over three days – from 18 to 20 September. For Russians in Belarus, the sites are open on September 20 from 8:00 to 20:00. You can vote here on federal party lists. In total, seven sites operate in the republic: in Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev and Bobruisk. Brestsky is located in the building of the Consulate General on Pushkinskaya Street.

- People have been coming since morning. Active turnout shows that our citizens are interested in the further development of the state and, even being outside the homeland, want to personally participate in its political life. Everyone who came to the polling station today gives their vote for a strong Russia and the path the country will follow.

The site continues to work in a smooth rhythm. Some voters pass into the booths, others already cast ballots in the ballot box. Muscovites Mikhail Bubnov and Svetlana Magaznova approach the commission table. The couple came to Brest for the first time - to spend a few days, walk around the city, get acquainted with its history. They remembered the election date, so another address appeared on the tourist route.

- We knew in advance where the site will work in Brest, says Mikhail. The trip does not take away responsibility for what is happening in the country. Many things that people face in everyday life depend on the decisions of the State Duma, so it was important for us to make our choice. Everything is organized. We voted quickly, without queues. And Brest itself left a very warm impression - a calm city, friendly people. You really feel almost at home here.

This possibility preserves the citizen's connection with his country, even if on election day he is outside it. For some, Brest is a place for a short trip, for others – a city where a new stage of life begins.

- We decided in advance that we would vote together. For us, elections are always a special holiday, when everyone can express their position and make a choice in favor of the future of the country. Today, this state holiday coincided with our family - Alexander's birthday. It turned out symbolically - the new year of his life, the husband begins with a vote for the future of Russia. They took their son with them, too. He is still young, but it is important for us that a responsible attitude towards his country from childhood was perceived by him as something natural. After all, thinking about the future of Russia, we first of all think about what it will be for Mikhail, says Anastasia.

Meanwhile, faces and generations are changing at the site. There are people here who came to this day in different ways. Some are voting abroad for the first time, while others have become accustomed to it. But the connection between generations is especially clear when Mikhail Gubanov approaches the commission table. He was a former prisoner of Nazi concentration camps. In a month Mikhail Gubanov will be 90 years old. His decision to come to the site is not only the habit of fulfilling his civic duty, but also the experience of a person to whom history has repeatedly shown the value of political decisions.

- I've been through a lot, and I know very well that peace and security cannot be taken for granted forever. It is important for me that Russia develops, takes care of people, so that young people can work, create families and make plans. The decisions made today affect the lives of the next generations. Therefore, as long as the forces allow, I will come to the elections and express my position, he said.

Work on the site continues. The commission checks documents and issues ballots, curtains in the cabins are opened and closed. There are no long speeches or political disputes in the room. Here everyone is left with their own decision one on one.

And outside the windows, Brest lives on an ordinary Sunday. People meet with loved ones, walk around the city, rush on business, while at the polling station number 8043 one by one the ballots are lowered. Without excessive solemnity and loud words, Russians who find themselves in Belarus participate in the general choice of their country.