Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government just won an ad-hoc nationwide vote on robust constitutional amendments that could allow the leader to rule until 2036. With around 85% of the ballots having been counted last night, the tally of the seven-day vote saw 78% voters endorsing the amendments. According to Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), the turnout was around 65% of the eligible voters; in some regions, the turnout was close to 90%.
The amendment package that was voted on has over 200 changes, including the Constitutional acknowledgement of conservative ideals such as the recognition of God, the affirmation of only heterosexual marriages, and the need for children to be raised ‘patriotic’ and to respect their elders.
Further, and more importantly, the amendments completely change the balance of power in the Kremlin. Firstly, it ‘resets’ the number of terms served by Putin to zero, essentially allowing him to stand for re-election for another two terms of six years each after completing his current term. This would allow him to serve as President until he is 84 years old, and if he wins, would make him the longest-serving Russian leader in history. The amendments also increase the powers of the President, allowing him to appoint and dismiss important cabinet leaders without any parliamentary vote. This includes the ability to unilaterally fire the Prime Minister. The changes also allow for the constitutional recognition of regular pension and fair elections for the citizenry, among other promises.
However, the Russian opposition, along with numerous election watchdogs, have deemed the current vote as bogus and flawed. Grigory Melkonyants, co-chairman of the Golos election monitor group, described it as the “least transparent” and “most manipulative” election in the history of Russia, comparable to those that initially followed the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union. The CEC itself reported around 7,196 complaints from residents regarding voting practices, 591 of which were received on the days of the elections. The body considered 92% of the complaints but also noted that “none required consideration at a meeting of the commission.” Further, while viewers watching the telecast of the vote in Mordovia witnessed an alleged ‘ballot-stuffer’ live on television, journalists were reportedly assaulted and barred from entering polling stations in St. Petersburg. Opposition leader Alexei Navalny deemed the result of the vote as illegal and invalid, stating that it was an elaborate lie that his supporters will “never recognize”.
Following Putin’s past electoral practices, polling stations also held competitions that promised prizes, and public and private companies were instructed to boost the turnout of employees as well as to check whether they had voted. Alexander Gorovoy, the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, also tweeted that the government had issued around 500,000 new passports and granted 29,000 temporary residence certificates to increase the number of eligible voters.
The vote was originally scheduled to be a referendum carried out on 22 April, but was delayed due to coronavirus concerns. In the meantime, both the Kremlin and the Constitutional Court had approved and adopted the changes. However, Putin felt it necessary to order a public vote to establish legitimacy for the reforms. While the Russian leader has not yet announced a run for Presidency in 2024, he stressed the vitality of having the “option to do so”.
Putin was spotted casting his ballot at the Royal Academy of Sciences in Moscow, where he was assisted by a poll worker wearing protective gloves and a mask. Unlike past pictures where the President was seen wearing a hazmat suit to protect himself from the coronavirus infection, Putin was not seen donning any protective gear at the polling booth.
Image Source: NPR
Russia Votes in Favour of Constitutional Reforms That Allow Putin to Rule Till 2036
Election watchdogs have raised alarms about electoral practices followed during the vote.
July 2, 2020
