Following a tumult Russian authorities initiates criminal proceedings after voters poured dye into ballot boxes and ignited fires in protest over Putin’s re-election.
Russia has initiated at least 15 criminal cases after individuals poured dye into ballot boxes, ignited fires, and threw Molotov cocktails during the recent presidential vote weekend.
Multiple incidents were reported across Russia on Saturday, including an individual from Ivanovo who set fire to a ballot box at a polling station, as stated by the regional department.
In Yekaterinburg, a man was detained for 15 days on charges of hooliganism after attempting to pour paint into a ballot box, according to reports from Russian state media RIA Novosti.
These incidents come in the wake of similar occurrences captured on camera during the opening day of the three-day vote, which is highly likely to prolong Vladimir Putin’s longstanding dominance.
CCTV footage from a polling station in Moscow depicted a young woman pouring what seemed to be green dye into a ballot box. She was promptly apprehended, as reported by RIA Novosti.
In Putin’s hometown of St. Petersburg, a woman hurled a Molotov cocktail at the signboard of a polling station in the Moskovsky district, according to RIA. Authorities stated that the fire was swiftly extinguished, and no injuries were reported.
Since Russia initiated its invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, dissent has been prohibited in the country.
Polling stations opened on Friday across Russia’s 11 time zones. With most opposition candidates either deceased, imprisoned, exiled, disqualified from running, or merely serving as symbolic figures, Putin is anticipated to secure victory easily, prolonging his leadership until at least 2030.
According to the head of the Electoral Commission, Ella Pamfilova, a total of 29 polling stations in 20 regions of Russia have been targeted by individuals described as “narrow-minded.” Pamfilova made this statement to the Russian state news agency Tass.
Pamfilova further stated that there have been eight recorded attempts of arson during the election, resulting in irreparable damage to 214 ballot boxes. These incidents are being addressed under the article pertaining to “obstruction of the work of election commissions.”
As of 12 pm on the second day of voting, the voter turnout stood at 52%, according to the Central Election Commission of Russia.
”Considering the synchronicity of incidents in different regions, one can assume a deliberate organized provocation,” Alena Bulgakova, chair of the Russian Civic Chamber, said Friday according to Ria Novosti.
Earlier, Pamfilova referred to the protesters as “scum” and made unsubstantiated claims that several individuals who poured liquid into ballot boxes were paid to carry out these actions.
It is a common practice for the Russian government to assert that acts of political dissent are orchestrated “provocations” funded by external parties rather than genuine expressions of protest.
