Candidates to State Duma report on large number of absentee ballots issued in Sochi

In Sochi, precinct election commissions began issuing absentee ballots. Candidates to the State Duma drew attention to a large number of absentee ballots, issued earlier by precinct election commissions.

In total, 220 precinct election commissions shall work in the territory of the city.

The documents allowing voters to vote outside their polling stations will be issued until September 17, reports the website of the Sochi administration.

It is planned that in the Central District of Sochi, more than 2000 citizens, who on the day of voting will stay at their workplaces, will be able to use absentee ballots. The number of the above mentioned citizens includes members of rescuer teams, policemen, physicians, and employees engaged in operational services. Tourists will also be able to give their voices for candidates to the State Duma.

Dmitry Novikov, a retired judge, who is running for the State Duma from the "Zelyonye" (Greens) Party, said that teachers "confessed that they were forced to take absentee ballots, but none of them dared to say 'no'."

According to Igor Vasiliev, a candidate from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), has also added that he decided to visit the precinct election commission "Adlerskaya" to find out who had received absentee ballots and to compare their names with the lists of residence to see if those persons were crossed out. However, Alexander Abakumov, the chairman of the above precinct election commissions, refused to provide the lists and referred to the law on protection of personal data.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.