All attempts to disrupt State Duma votes abroad failed — Russian Deputy FM

MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. Every attempt to disrupt voting in the Russian State Duma elections abroad has failed, Yevgeny Ivanov, State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, announced during his speech at the Central Election Commission.

"During the elections abroad, we recorded various provocations and attempts by extremists to disrupt the voting. We saw so-called exit polls and small-scale rallies, and external interference also caused temporary disruptions in our computer networks. Nevertheless, I would like to particularly emphasize that all these attempts by our detractors to spoil the elections abroad have not achieved - and will not achieve -their goal," he noted.

Ivanov also highlighted the total failure of a widely publicized campaign orchestrated by the non-systemic opposition, who had planned to paralyze polling stations with mass midday gatherings. "Only a small number of people responded to their calls. According to my information, they failed to create any serious issues for election commissions in any country. Voting is proceeding smoothly worldwide, fully complying with current Russian legislation," the deputy minister added.

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma is underway on September 18-20. For the first time ever, residents of the recently incorporated Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, will participate in legislative elections for the lower house of the Russian parliament. A total of ten parties are taking part in the election: United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party of the Russian Federation (LDPR), New People, A Just Russia - For Truth, the Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, the Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Party of Direct Democracy, as well as the Greens Ecological Party.

Elections for regional legislative bodies are also being held in 39 Russian constituent entities, alongside elections for regional leaders. In eight regions, the leaders are being elected directly, while in three regions, they are being chosen by the regional parliaments. A total of 23,000 seats are to be filled.