Pamfilova said there will be two “differences” from previous campaigns
Photo: REUTERS
On Monday, Vladimir Putin received the head of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, in the Kremlin. The president discussed with her the upcoming vote in September. In the fall, 21 regions will elect subject heads and another 20 regions will elect deputies to local legislative assemblies. Four constituencies will vote for the State Duma deputies.
Pamfilova said there would be two “differences” from previous campaigns. The first is electronic voting.
– We have taken a great leap in digital services. We now have 20 digital services for all participants in the electoral process: parties, candidates, commissions and, most importantly, voters. There you can get almost all the information about the upcoming elections, – listed the head of the CCA.
He noted that now candidates can even collect signatures remotely. For presidential elections, this mechanism will be even more popular.
In autumn, 21.5 million people can already use remote voting.
– They applied – it was completely their initiative, voluntary, there was no pressure from our side – 25 regions, including Moscow, – Pamfilova assured.
– We have somewhere up to 300 types of different levels of elections, it will be possible to vote (remote – Ed.). Another difference is that it will take place simultaneously in five of the 11 time zones, this is also a leap forward, he added.
– So what? How is your control? the President asked about the control of the integrity of electronic voting.
– Call to all parties, candidates: please choose specialists you trust, delegate them to us for observation. Now we are providing ample opportunities (there are specifics, after all, people must have technical knowledge) for specialists – we will do everything possible for this – with a passion to follow how the secrecy of the vote is observed, the reliability of the results and, at the same time, the total control system that gives rise to complete trust, – replied Pamfilova.
The second important difference of these elections is the participation of four new regions. CEC experts travel to the annexed territories to prepare the electoral system.
“The situation is difficult, we understand that the state of war, but nevertheless, the amendments that have now been adopted allow, subject to certain conditions, to still hold elections,” said the head of the CEC.
Pamfilova noted that the heads of the four regions appealed to the CEC with the initiative to hold elections. After consulting with the FSB and the Ministry of Defense, the Central Election Commission decided to “support”. The federal budget will finance the elections in the new regions.
– If circumstances of unforeseen force arise – in some area the situation can deteriorate sharply, we will understand that there is a serious danger to the life and health of the residents who are there – we have the right to postpone these elections in this or that area, – said the head of the CEC.
“Understood,” said the president.
Residents of the new regions will be able to vote not only at home, but also where they are physically now. This is done to take into account the votes of numerous refugees.
– Does electronic voting also apply to them (inhabitants of four regions – Ed.)? – said Vladimir Vladimirovich.
“No, it’s not there yet,” Pamfilova replied.
The head of the CCA admitted that “technical difficulties” persist. In many settlements, there is simply no Internet for remote voting now.
