before the presidential elections in the Russian Federation, the laws were significantly changed

After the presidential elections in 2018, the Russian authorities significantly changed the laws that make it more difficult to nominate candidates and monitor the elections, as well as obfuscate voting procedures. An overview of legislative changes was presented by “Holos”.

According to the estimates of “Holos” experts, since 2018, amendments have been made to the federal law on Russian presidential elections 11 times: 60% of its articles and three out of four appendices have been changed.

The main changes occurred due to amendments to the Constitution, which allowed Vladimir Putin to “reset” his presidential terms and run for office for the fifth and sixth time. His powers can expire only in 2036.

At the same time, the voting on the amendments took place with legal violations, the “Voice” noted in 2020 – therefore, the very decision to “reset” raises questions.

In addition, now Russians who have lived in Russia for at least 25 years and previously had neither citizenship nor residence permit of another country can nominate themselves for the post of president. At the same time, the Constitutional Court explained that if citizenship or a residence permit were for the sake of “fulfilling obligations to Russia or the USSR”, then it is possible to apply. “Holos” notes the selectivity of the law in this case.

Those convicted under criminal articles on extremism and terrorism were also left with a passive right – for five years from the moment of removal or repayment of the criminal record. Court practice shows that this amendment allows politicians to nominate themselves “practically arbitrarily”.

The legislation on foreign agents, under which you can be caught for being under “foreign influence”, also affects the rights of Russians. “Foreign agents” cannot be members of election committees and observers, but they can nominate themselves, indicating the status assigned to them everywhere.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CEC of Russia allowed voting in elections for three days, and then decided to maintain this practice. The possibility of voting outside the polling stations was also left. All this makes it difficult to monitor the voting process and increases the likelihood of fraud.

Electoral experts have the same claims about remote electronic voting (DEG), which will be available in 27 regions of Russia, as well as in the annexed Crimea and Sevastopol.

In addition, the presidential elections of Russia will be held in the occupied territories of Ukraine, where martial law has also been imposed. It allows the limitation of basic human rights and freedoms, without which the will of voters cannot be freely expressed or even formed, notes “Holos”.

Restrictions also affected the possibilities of election observation and coverage. The list of observers must now be submitted by the election at least three days before voting, and the number of observers is limited. Only those journalists who work in mass media under an employment contract can be present at the counting of votes.

“Golos” experts do not make a direct conclusion about what all these changes were for, however, “Meduza” learned that the Kremlin expects to achieve a record result for Putin: more than 80% of votes with a high turnout.