An all-Russian vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation will take place on Wednesday, July 1. The corresponding decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As indicated in the document, the voting should take into account the emerging sanitary and epidemiological situation and the need to ensure the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in connection with the spread of COVID-19.
Note that on June 1, the head of state held a working meeting with the leadership of the Central Election Commission and members of the working group on the preparation of proposals for updating the basic law. After Vladimir Putin listened to the reports of the head of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova and the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova, it was suggested that the vote should take place on July 1.
“Based on today's discussion, on the basis of what you said and what you proposed, we will hold an all-Russian vote on the adoption of amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation on July 1, 2020,” Putin said.
The Russian leader also asked Pamfilov and Popov to pay special attention to security issues.
“I appeal to the leaders of the regions of the Russian Federation and to the governors. I ask you to assist in organizing the all-Russian voting, based on the need to care about the health and life of our people. This remains an unconditional, first and foremost priority, ”the head of state added.
In addition, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that July 1 will be declared a day off.
- © Kirill Kallinikov / RIA News
Recall that initially the all-Russian vote on the amendment to the Constitution of the Russian Federation “On improving the regulation of certain issues of the organization and functioning of public authority” was scheduled for April 22. However, on March 25, Vladimir Putin addressed the Russians in connection with the situation regarding the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus infection in the country.
“You know how seriously, how seriously I take this. And, of course, I will ask you to come and express your opinion on this issue - a matter of principle, key for our country, for our society. However, as I said earlier, the absolute priority for us is the health, life and safety of people. Therefore, I believe that the vote should be postponed to a later date, ”Putin explained on March 25.
During the vote, Russian citizens must answer the only question: “Do you approve changes to the Constitution of the Russian Federation?”. If amendments are made, a number of changes will be made to the country's basic law.
In particular, the mandatory indexation of pensions, benefits and other social benefits will be fixed, and it will also be stipulated that the minimum wage (minimum wage) cannot be lower than the subsistence minimum, Russia will be declared the successor of the USSR, the status of the Russian language as the language of the state-forming people, will be fixed into the multinational union of equal peoples of Russia. At the same time, children will be declared the most important priority of the state policy of Russia. In addition, the current president of Russia is given the opportunity to participate as a candidate in the presidential election, which will take place after the adoption of amendments to the Constitution.
“Time has shown how timely the proposed changes to the Constitution are”
During the meeting, the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova noted that before July 1, when the all-Russian vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation will be held, two more incubation periods of COVID-19 will take place. According to her, if any disruptions do not occur, then by this date optimal indicators will be achieved.
“I want to note that all the changing indicators and all the stages of lifting restrictions allow us to see today that when these or those restrictions are lifted, the situation in the regions does not worsen. And this means that we are going the right way, the requirements, if followed, allow us to move on, ”said Popova.
In turn, the chairman of the CEC, Ella Pamfilova, indicated that all voters would be provided with personal protective equipment and disposable handles, and there would be a place for measuring temperature and hand disinfection at the entrances to the polls. She expressed confidence that voting "would be safer than going to the store." In particular, at the polling station will be no more than eight voters at a time.
“We have envisaged and propose holding a vote not only on that day, the date that you set, but also within six days before this main voting day. That is, in total, we suggest that our citizens, potential voters, have the opportunity to vote when it is most convenient for seven days, ”Pamfilova added.
At the same time, voting can take place both indoors and outside, and minimizing contacts will be one of the main principles.
At the same time, the Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin noted that the time elapsed since the adoption of the law on the amendment of the Constitution of the Russian Federation proved the relevance of amendments to the basic law. Recall that on March 11, the State Duma and the Federation Council approved the law on amendment of the Constitution.
“First of all, these are guarantees of the rights of citizens in the social sphere, including the provision of affordable and high-quality medical care,” said Volodin.