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Ballots fall into a ballot box in the so-called presidential election in Russia
Photo: Dmitry Rogulin / ITAR-TASS / IMAGO
According to authorities, there were several protests and attempts to disrupt the so-called presidential election in Russia, which took place from Friday to Sunday.
In 20 cases, people poured liquids into ballot boxes to make the ballot papers unusable, commission chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said on Saturday.
There were also eight attempts at arson at polling stations.
The head of the authority insulted those responsible as “scumbags” and threatened them with prison sentences of up to five years.
Pamfilova explained that Ukrainian secret services and masterminds in Western countries were behind the interference attempts, without substantiating her claims.
The deputy head of the Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, spoke of "traitors" who provided aid to Russia's "deviant" enemies.
There were incidents on the first day of the mock election.
According to Russian media reports, there were several arson attacks at polling stations and attacks with paint on ballot boxes containing ballot papers.
Women and men also poured ink into urns in the Rostov region and in the Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia in the North Caucasus.
Election neither fair nor free
President Vladimir Putin wants to be confirmed in office for another six years with the vote.
The election is considered neither free nor fair.
Approval ratings of more than 80 percent for Putin are considered realistic.
Still, authorities are under pressure to report the best possible results in his favor.
On Saturday, the electoral commission reported the interim voter turnout at more than 50 percent.
The three candidates nominated by the parliamentary opposition loyal to Putin are considered pure counting candidates.
His political opponents were excluded from running for office or, like the opposition activist Alexei Navalny, died.
His widow called on dissatisfied citizens to vote on Sunday afternoon and thereby make a protest statement.
Julija Navalnaya is campaigning for opponents of President Vladimir Putin to flock to the polling stations at 12 noon on the last election day.
Participants in the “Lunch Against Putin” protest should vote for one of the opposing candidates or invalidate the ballot paper with the words “Navalny” written on it.
jpa/Reuters