The head of the CEC allowed the postponement of elections in new regions due to the deteriorating situation

If the situation in the new regions deteriorates, the Central Election Commission (CEC) may postpone the elections. Ella Pamfilova, chairman of the commission, announced this during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“And 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. We will certainly use this right, if there are serious grounds for it,” clarified Pamfilova, her words are quoted by the Kremlin press service.

She added that the amendments that were adopted legally make it possible to hold elections during martial law. She stressed that the leaders of four new entities applied to the CEC with such an initiative, since “there is still a need to hold these elections.” According to Pamfilova, the CEC is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure security.

At the same time, the CEC will create extraterritorial polling stations, which are necessary for residents of new regions, if they are not in their subject, to be able to vote. Such polling stations will also be organized in the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, so that builders, doctors and other citizens who come there can also take part in the elections.

Pamfilova noted that in new regions, due to the situation, it will be technically difficult to launch electronic voting, so for now the service will not be extended to them.

In 2023, a single voting day in Russia will be held on September 10. In the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, which, following the results of referendums in September 2022, became part of Russia, martial law was introduced in October last year.

At the end of May, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that excludes a ban on holding referendums and elections to government bodies in those regions where martial law is in effect. According to the adopted document, the head of such a subject can send an application to the CEC for the purpose of holding elections or a referendum. The CEC is obliged to consider the application within five days and consult with the FSB and the Ministry of Defense.