Russians are voting for governors and regional legislators in 83 regions and cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, but many opposition candidates barred by the electoral authorities won't be on the ballot. Governors will be elected in 21 regions, while four regions, including the illegally annexed Crimea in Ukraine, will elect regional parliaments. A group defending voters rights, Golos, dubbed the vote an "imitation" of elections, saying it lacks genuine competition. According to Golos, 35 percent of nominees, including all three candidates from the liberal opposition party, Yabloko, were denied registration. In some regions, elections that began on September 6 will last for three days. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Russians Vote In Regional Elections With Many Opposition Candidates Barred
Editors' Picks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.