Russia’s Central Election Commission has given approval for the upcoming presidential election in partially occupied Ukrainian regions, as reported by Interfax on Monday.
The Russian news agency states that both the Armed Forces and the Federal Security Service believe it is viable to proceed with the voting process in conflict-affected areas as Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its two-year mark.
Russian law allows the CEC to conduct elections in martial law areas after consultation with the Defence Ministry and FSB, according to Moscow Times.
The Kremlin has declared the annexation of regions including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
Deputy CEC chairman Nikolai Bulayev asserts that the electoral system in these occupied regions is not only operational but highly professional.
President Vladimir Putin aims to secure a fifth term in office, and given the current political landscape in Russia, he is expected to emerge victorious in the presidential election scheduled for March 15–17 next year.
