Russian Election Commission Greenlights Presidential Election in Occupied Ukrainian Regions
Russian Election Commission Greenlights Presidential Election in Occupied Ukrainian Regions
Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has given the green light for the upcoming presidential election to take place in the partially occupied regions of Ukraine, as reported by Interfax on Monday.
The Russian news agency revealed that both Russia’s Armed Forces and the Federal Security Service have expressed confidence in the feasibility of conducting the voting process in areas affected by ongoing conflicts.
This development comes as Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its two-year anniversary.
Under Russian law, the CEC is permitted to hold elections in regions under martial law, but only after consultation with the Defence Ministry and FSB, according to Moscow Times.
The Kremlin has previously announced the annexation of several Ukrainian regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. The move to conduct elections in these occupied territories has stirred controversy and drawn attention to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Deputy CEC chairman Nikolai Bulayev defended the decision, stating, “Not only is the electoral system of the four [occupied regions]… in working order, but it’s highly professional.”
As reported by The PUNCH, President Vladimir Putin has signalled his intention to seek a fifth term in office. Given the current political landscape in Russia, his victory in the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for March 15–17, is widely anticipated.
The decision to hold elections in the occupied Ukrainian regions raises concerns about the legitimacy of the process, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict and international scrutiny surrounding Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The move is likely to intensify debates on the international stage and prompt reactions from various quarters.
