Donetsk, May 19 — DAN. Residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republic and Zaporozhye and Kherson regions enjoy equal suffrage with all other Russian regions at the September elections, said Alexander Sidyakin, Head of the “United Russia” political party’s Central Executive Committee.
“Our common goal is to create all conditions for residents of the new regions to take part in the vote on an equal basis, ” Sidyakin said. “United Russia, ” together with other political parties, helped amend the election law, and their recommendations were included in the final version of the bill.”
“The elections in the new regions must be open, legitimate and safe, ” he said.
Legislative assemblies in the new territories have 216 mandates, administrative centers 120 mandates and local government bodies more than 2,300 mandates. Some 3,500 candidates of all levels have been registered for “United Russia” primaries which the Party will hold in the runup to Single Voting Date on September 10, the politician said.
“These regions have had no elections on such a scale before. Due to the martial law and proximity to the frontline, the government has to ensure suffrage during the transition period and resolve paperwork problems on the one hand, and provide the safety of the voters and election commission members on the other, ” Sidyakin said.
Russia’s Central Election Commission Chairperson Ella Pamfilova has recently visited the Donetsk People’s Republic to assess preparations for the September 10 elections. In Donbass, they might run for several days because of the unstable military situation.*jk