The election campaign starts in the DPR: the Armed Forces of Ukraine will try to seize the chance

The main thing is to ensure safety

This autumn, Donetsk residents will elect deputies of the People’s Council, representative bodies of districts, cities and towns, as well as the Head of the DPR. Preparations for large-scale elections are already underway.

To date, territorial and precinct electoral commissions have already been fully formed in the republic. But, in fact, the main task of the authorities in the region is to hold elections, while ensuring the safety of people. It is not necessary to count on the fact that all the inhabitants of the republic will be able, according to a long-established tradition, to come to the polling stations and simply cast their vote for the candidate they like.

According to Ella Pamfilova, the head of the CEC of the Russian Federation, the nomination of candidates in the new territories of the country will start later than in other regions – from July 24, and will last until mid-August. That is why Donetsk residents still see in the city only old banners with United Russia primaries candidates, and not new campaign materials.

The entire election campaign in the DPR will be aimed at minimizing the risks for people, since, as practice shows, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will certainly take the chance to hit a large crowd of people. And at the moment the format of the elections is not fully defined.

Many Donetsk residents hoped that they would be able to cast their vote remotely, however, the DPR is not included in the list of territories where elections will be held online, published by the CEC of the Russian Federation in a resolution of 06/07/2023.

So, citizens of the Republic with limited mobility will be able to vote at home. The same applies to Donetsk residents, who will not be able to attend the elections due to health reasons. To do this, you need to write an application. This was told by the chairman of the regional electoral committee Vladimir Vysotsky.

The Central Election Commission of the DPR is considering the possibility of an early voting procedure. Most likely, the defenders of Donbass will be able to use this right by filling out the necessary documents.

It is currently impossible to say exactly how the elections in the DPR will take place. Will they allocate one or several days for the will of citizens, as in the LPR, will the possibility of remote voting for the front-line areas be considered, will Donetsk residents be able to vote outdoors, or will in-person polling stations be organized, as was the case in the last elections? The authorities of the republic will have to find a “golden mean”, which will ensure the safety of both voters and members of election commissions.