Russia reports attacks on voting systems during parliamentary election
Russian authorities said voting systems and communication lines were targeted on the second day of parliamentary elections.
Moscow, Russia. Russian authorities reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines on Saturday, the second day of parliamentary elections being treated by Moscow as a test of public support for the war in Ukraine.
The State Duma election, held from September 18 to 20, is the first since Russia launched its full-scale war in February 2022.
Election context
The ruling pro-Putin United Russia party is widely expected to retain its dominance in Russia’s tightly controlled political system.
Most anti-war candidates were excluded from the ballot before voting began across Russia’s 11 time zones. The Supreme Court ruled last month that the liberal Yabloko party, which supports a ceasefire in Ukraine, had breached electoral rules, an allegation the party denied.
Some Yabloko candidates are contesting single-member constituencies, which account for half of the 450 seats in the lower house of parliament. The party has traditionally polled in the single digits.
Reported attacks
Authorities said Moscow’s online voting system was subjected to a strong overnight attack, but said the situation was under control.
Central Election Commission Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said attacks were continuing but were being successfully repelled, according to state media.
Russia’s digital ministry said it had registered a sabotage attempt on communication lines in the Far East. State media reported that the attempt was thwarted and communications were restored.
President Vladimir Putin had earlier accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the vote without providing evidence.
Turnout and Transdniestria dispute
Nationwide turnout stood at 32.58 per cent as of 2pm local time on Saturday, or 11am GMT, according to Central Election Commission data cited by state media.
In Moldova’s separatist pro-Russian Transdniestria region, the election triggered a diplomatic dispute with Chisinau over its objections to the Kremlin’s plan to open 15 polling stations for Russian nationals there.
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