(1 Jul 2020) The Russian Communist party leader said Wednesday that people should express their attitude towards the current political situation in Russia by taking part in a vote on constitutional amendments.
Speaking after casting his ballot in Moscow, Gennady Zyuganov said Russia's current political course had led to a collapse in all economic spheres.
"Our citizens have lost 40 per cent of their income recently," he said, urging people to go to polling stations to express their take on the matter.
Russia's vote on constitutional amendments that could allow President Vladimir Putin to extend his rule until 2036 entered its final day Wednesday amid widespread reports of pressure on voters and other irregularities.
For the first time in Russia, the polls were kept open for a week to help reduce crowds on election day and to bolster turnout amid the coronavirus pandemic — a provision that Kremlin critics saw as just an another way to manipulate the vote.
Putin is all but guaranteed to get the result he wants following a massive state propaganda campaign and the changes and the opposition's failure to mount a coordinated challenge.
Ironically, however, the plebiscite aimed at consolidating Putin's grip could end up eroding his position because of the unconventional methods used to boost participation and the dubious legal basis for the ballot.
By Wednesday morning, the turnout already exceeded 55%, according to election officials. But Kremlin critics and independent election observers questioned official figures showing that in some regions up to 85% of eligible voters had turned out.
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