United Russia members were reminded of political correctness

United Russia deputies received traditional party recommendations on working with voters during the Duma regional week. United Russia members are asked to talk about the upcoming presidential elections carefully, avoiding direct campaigning for Vladimir Putin. The party also advises deputies to pay attention to the topics of a special military operation (SVO) and the implementation of the “people’s program”, and at the same time do not forget to congratulate women on March 8th.

United Russia (UR) sent recommendations to its State Duma deputies on working with voters during the regional week from March 4 to 10 (“Kommersant has reviewed them”). If earlier in such materials the first item was the topic of the Northern Military District, then starting from the New Year’s week the focus shifted towards the presidential elections.

Already in the introductory part of the document, the party explains in detail to deputies what campaigning is, elements of which should be excluded when working with voters, because United Russia “is not a subject of the election campaign, therefore, any such statement is a violation of election legislation.” In this regard, it is prohibited to directly call for voting for a specific candidate, or to disseminate information in combination with positive or negative comments. You cannot talk in an interview about a candidate’s activities that are not related to his job responsibilities, although “answers to certain questions of a biographical nature” are allowed. In addition, it is prohibited to “carry out activities that contribute to the creation of a positive or negative attitude of voters towards a candidate.”

Instead, deputies should remind people that, as in 2018, United Russia was actively collecting signatures for Vladimir Putin, and now its main task is to motivate supporters to come to the polling stations. At the same time, public statements by United Russia members “should not go beyond the scope of factional and party activities,” and it is not recommended to “generalize indiscriminately the work of the president, federal executive bodies and the party.” “A careless mention of the president in connection with the achievements and results of United Russia’s work can be equated to illegal campaigning,” United Russia members warn: deputies “must present the results of the party’s work in carrying out the instructions and tasks set by the president.”

United Russia members were also invited to discuss with citizens the President’s message to the Federal Assembly, announced on February 29, which “is actually intended for the people of Russia.” The social issues identified in the appeal “are also a priority for United Russia,” the document emphasizes.

Traditionally, much attention is paid to the topic of the SVO: deputies are asked to meet with the families of fighters and provide them with support, participate in the collection of humanitarian aid, and organize a cultural program for SVO participants undergoing treatment in hospitals in the region. To accompany military personnel, deputies are advised to involve graduates of first aid courses organized by the United Russia Women’s Movement and the Healthy Future party project. It would not be amiss to recall the results of the work of the working group on North-Eastern Military District issues, which is headed by the Secretary of the General Council of the United Russia Andrei Turchak, as well as the support measures taken in the region.

The topic of housing and communal services, the modernization of which “has become a priority task of the United Russia,” is indicated in the recommendations. Deputies should meet with residents, house elders and participants in the “Best House” party competition. The best yard” to collect information about the most pressing problems in the housing and communal services sector. Another traditional topic is the implementation of the “people’s program” of United Russia, which “remains the flagship direction” of its work. One of the basic theses: the implementation of the program would have been impossible without the participation and support of Vladimir Putin.

In addition, the recommendations recall that at the XXI Congress of United Russia it was decided to declare 2024 the year of primary branches of the party. In this regard, deputies are advised to meet with the secretaries of primary elections to discuss new legislation and priority issues for residents, as well as to help with mobilization work during the presidential campaign.

Party recommendations for deputies almost always have a place for a holiday, and this time they are invited to celebrate March 8th with voters. The party advises paying special attention to women whose husbands, sons and fathers are on the front line. Deputies, representatives of the United Russia Women’s Movement and public opinion leaders will visit the widows and mothers of fallen soldiers, the wives and mothers of those mobilized, as well as women awarded the title “Mother Heroine”: they “will be given memorable gifts and warm words of gratitude will be said.” Congratulations are also expected from the female participants of the SVO. In addition, deputies, party activists and Young Guard United Russia plan to present flowers to women on the streets.

United Russia public support headquarters will also hold a number of events. In particular, as part of the “Young Mother” campaign, congratulations will be organized for mothers in maternity hospitals. For wives, mothers and sisters of military personnel, the “Your Spring” event is planned, including yoga classes, psychological trainings, art therapy and a professional photo shoot. And during the “Woman in the History of Russia” event, participants will be able to take pictures in outfits from different eras – from Kievan Rus to the end of the 19th century.

Ksenia Veretennikova