The State Duma adopted in the third reading amendments allowing elections to be held under martial law, as well as amendments regulating the procedure for holding them during such a period. According to Pavel Krasheninnikov, chairman of the state building committee, the adopted amendments will ensure the holding of elections in the regions where the corresponding regime is in force – the LDNR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.
According to the text of the document, in territories where martial law has been introduced, elections can be held if the decision to hold them is made by the CEC of the Russian Federation after consultations with the Ministry of Defense and the FSB.
Amendments to the electoral legislation were made in a separate package. According to them, the initiative to hold elections to the Central Election Commission is directed by the governors of the regions where martial law has been introduced. In such cases, the amendments allow for a reduction in the timing of electoral actions. It is also indicated that the legislation of the Russian Federation on elections and referendums may establish “other features of the preparation and conduct of elections, a referendum during the period of martial law.”
The adopted document provides for other innovations. Thus, the law prohibits election campaigning using resources, access to which has been restricted by Roskomnadzor. During elections to state authorities (and presidential elections), local authorities can allocate funds from the budget of the subject (municipality) for “assistance in the preparation and conduct of elections.” Funds can also be used to inform voters. The law, among other things, spells out the minimum threshold for voluntary donations to candidates and parties from citizens and enterprises.
In addition, innovations consolidate the possibility of producing a list of voters in electronic form. According to the new law, only employees registered under an employment contract will be able to attend the procedure for counting votes from the media.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
