United Russia explained the high result in the September elections

Members of United Russia (UR) were sent a closed report on the results of the past regional elections entitled “Unified Voting Day – 2023. Results” (EDG-2023). It was prepared by the central executive committee (CEC) of the party. Two United Russia members told Vedomosti about this. The report talks about the party’s success in the last elections, the defeat of its rivals, and also provides examples of the oddities of the last voting day – how at a polling station in Khimki the Cheburashka Man was not allowed to vote. What stopped him was not his big ears (which prevented him from entering the cockpit), but his refusal to take off his suit to confirm his identity.

Deputy Secretary of the United Russia General Council Sergei Perminov neither confirmed nor denied that such a report was sent to party members. According to him, the party’s results were influenced by several factors, including “unity around the flag”, implementation of the “people’s program” of United Russia, preliminary selection and preparation of candidates for participation in elections, implementation of volunteer and humanitarian missions, active work with party supporters, etc. d.

The overall turnout in the last elections was the highest since 2017 – 43.5%, the report notes. In 2022 it was about 35%, in 2018 – 37.41%. The increase in turnout, the report notes, was facilitated by elections in new regions (DPR – 79.81%, LPR – 72.56%, Zaporozhye region – 68.11%, Kherson region – 65.14% in elections to legislative assemblies, they also elected and municipal deputies) and the spread of the remote electronic voting system (DEG). This year it was used in 25 regions.

The results of the EDG-2023, according to the authors of the report, reflect the desire of people to take an “active part in the life of their regions.” And the election results are an indicator of patriotic consensus and the consolidation of society around power.

It is noted that during the election campaign, voters did not have a “request for political shows with the participation of candidates,” but rather a request for “consistency of government actions,” their clarity, stability and “open communication.”

Political scientist Alexander Kynev believes that there is no obvious contradiction here, but in society “there really is a demand for a normal, calm life” and a reduction in negativity. According to him, candidates and parties tried not to touch upon the topic of the special operation or did so minimally, precisely based on this request.

In most regions where elections of heads were held, “the campaigns were of a referendum nature,” the authors of the report believe, since the current head of the region or the acting head was in the lead. “People <...> preferred to minimize possible risks in the future associated with the choice of the head of the region,” the report notes. It also concludes that residents of the regions approve of the president’s personnel policy.

A significant part of the report is devoted to the decline in support for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in a number of regions. The Central Election Commission of the United Russia calls the result of 63.14% of the head of Khakassia, communist Valentin Konovalov, “the worst” among all current and acting governors. Emphasizing at the same time that “the elections were practically uncontested” (the communist had two rivals). “This result confirms the continued demand for a change in governor if a worthy alternative is available,” the report says.

Support for United Russia in the elections to the Supreme Council of the Republic (34 mandates for United Russia versus 14 for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation) also “emphasizes the negative assessment of the activities of the communist governor Valentin Konovalov” (for the situation in the regional legislative assembly, see vedomosti.ru). In addition, United Russia points to the weakening position of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation in Yakutia – 3rd place in the elections to the local parliament (2nd place was taken by “New People”).

In the Ivanovo Regional Duma, the Communists received one seat instead of seven in the previous convocation, United Russia members note. In the Yaroslavl Regional Duma, the representation of deputies from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation was also reduced – from eight to two.

According to the report, 182,798 observers from public chambers, parties and candidates, as well as 4,657 media representatives, participated in the EDC-2023. From United Russia – 41,022 observers, from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation – 16,026, from the Liberal Democratic Party – 6074, from A Just Russia – 6727, from New People – 5963.

Regarding the use of DEG, the report notes that it, as well as multi-day voting, have made participation in elections more accessible, convenient and “in demand by voters.” In 24 regions, more than 1 million voters voted on the federal platform, and more than 2.6 million on the Moscow platform.