MOSCOW, May 29 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved a law that introduces amendments to the existing legislation governing elections in the country’s newly established regions and modifies certain election procedures. The document, published on Monday, signifies a significant change in the electoral landscape of the Russian Federation.
Under the new law, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), Zaporozhye Region, and Kherson Region have been granted the authority to independently determine specific provisions of the federal election law. These changes will take effect from the upcoming single voting day scheduled for September. Notably, residents of these regions are now eligible to vote at polling stations located outside their home regions. Additionally, they are permitted to present documents other than their Russian internal passports for personal identification purposes, as long as these documents hold equivalent legal force.
The law also addresses the procedure for conducting elections during times of martial law. It stipulates that referendums and elections may be held in territories where martial law has been declared, following consultations between Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), the Russian Defense Ministry, and the Federal Security Service (FSB). The bill specifies that elections and referendums may proceed if approved by all relevant authorities, either across the entire territory under martial law or in specific parts of such regions.
However, if holding an election or a referendum in any of the four regions poses a threat to the lives or well-being of the citizens, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has the authority to postpone the voting. The CEC is required to inform the president promptly about any such postponement. Once the perceived danger has been eliminated, the CEC will determine the appropriate time to resume the electoral process.
The law further addresses the formation of precinct election commissions within places of detention for suspected and accused individuals. It defines the procedure for establishing these commissions, outlines their powers, and specifies the basis of their activities.
In addition, the document prohibits voting with absentee ballots and restricts election campaigns on websites that have been blocked by Russia’s mass media and telecommunications watchdog, Roskomnadzor.
The law will come into effect on the day of its official publication, ushering in a new era of election procedures in these regions.
These amendments signify a significant development in the electoral framework of the newly formed Russian regions, granting them greater autonomy and the ability to tailor election processes to their specific needs. The changes also reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring fair and transparent elections, even during times of martial law. As these modifications take effect, it remains to be seen how they will shape the electoral landscape and the participation of residents in these regions.