Damaging ballots is a criminal offense – Kommersant

Russian President Vladimir Putin, at a press conference after the publication of the first voting results in the presidential elections, spoke about calls to come en masse at noon on March 17 and cast a vote against him, the damage to ballots with brilliant green and attempted arson at polling stations.

“There were calls to vote at noon; this should have been a manifestation of opposition. If there were calls to come vote, I will praise you for that. <...> But, as far as I understand, this had no effect (from such calls – Kommersant). <...> And the fact that some spoiled the ballots is bad,” the president said.

“If you decide to spoil those people who came and considered it necessary for themselves to vote, fulfilled their civic duty, and you don’t give a damn about their position – this is bad, at least undemocratic. <...> People came, expressed their will, and another person came and spoiled their ballots,” the head of state continued.

“These are the people we have to deal with. This is a criminal offense and our law enforcement agencies and courts will act in accordance with the law,” the president added.

March 16, Chairman of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova spokethat in 20 regions at 29 polling stations, attempts to set fire to or damage boxes with ballots were recorded (mostly, they were filled with coloring liquid). By data The Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the voting days – March 15-17 – 61 criminal cases were opened and more than 150 administrative protocols were drawn up.

According to the CEC data, based on the results of processing 80.00% of the protocols, Vladimir Putin (self-nominated) gains 87.15% of the votes, Nikolai Kharitonov (Communist Party of the Russian Federation) – 4.22%, Vladislav Davankov (New People) – 4.04%, Leonid Slutsky (LDPR) – 3.16%. The overall turnout was 74.22% (data as of 18:00 Moscow time).

Turnout, vote counting and preliminary election results – in material “Ъ”.