Photo: CEC of Russia
Internet and other communication services may be disrupted during the elections in Russia in September, Central Election Commission (CEC) chair Ella Pamfilova said.
According to her, the possible restrictions are tied to security measures. Pamfilova also urged citizens “not to grumble.”
“I believe there is no need to grumble, because let us put on the scales: you were unable to access the internet or people’s lives were saved. Problems with communications and the internet will be in the interests of ensuring security,” the CEC head said.
She added that if the internet is shut down, election commissions will conduct remote electronic voting. In addition, extra Wi‑Fi points will be installed at polling stations.
This year’s elections will take place on September 18–20. In total, about 23,000 mandates are expected to be filled, including 450 in the State Duma. At the end of last year, Vedomosti wrote that the Kremlin had tasked the regions with securing 55% of the vote for United Russia candidates for State Duma deputy seats.