MOSCOW | The Kremlin welcomed on Thursday a “triumph” after the validation in the ballot boxes of the constitutional revision authorizing in particular Vladimir Poutine to remain in power until 2036, a poll qualified as “lie” by the opposition, whereas qu ‘only one region in Russia opposed the reform.
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“There has been a triumphant referendum of confidence in President Putin,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov after the week-long vote which officially ended in a “yes” victory. 77.92%.
The vote “against” collects 21.27%, according to the final results released Thursday by the Election Commission. The participation was around 65%.
Dmitri Peskov praised an “extremely high level of participation and support” and said that these constitutional changes will be “the basis of a better future” for Russia.
The vote, originally scheduled for April, was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To avoid excessive crowds at polling stations, it took place over a week, until Wednesday, and voters had to wear protective masks and gloves.
There was never any doubt as to its outcome: the reform had been approved by the legislator at the start of the year and the new text of the Constitution is already on sale in bookstores.
The Autonomous District of Nenetsia, in the Arctic, is the only region in Russia where the “no” won with 55.25% of the vote, according to the official count. This isolated and sparsely populated territory, known for its reindeer herders, could soon be attached to the Arkhangelsk region, which has sparked a local opposition movement.
Opponent Alexei Navalny called the vote “a huge lie”, calling on his supporters to mobilize for the next regional elections in September.
One of the most controversial amendments gives Vladimir Putin the option of two additional terms after the current one in 2024. He will thus have the possibility of staying in the Kremlin until 2036, the year of his 84 years.
The revision also introduced into the Constitution conservative principles dear to the president – faith in God, marriage reserved for heterosexuals, patriotic education -, as well as social guarantees, such as indexation of pensions.
According to critics of the Kremlin, the authorities have multiplied the tricks to ensure resounding success and strong electoral participation, with for example a lottery with gifts for the participants and vouchers for those voting online.
The NGO Golos, which specializes in election observation, received more than 2,100 reports of possible violations, including cases of officials forced to go to the polls.
In a press release, she denounced on Thursday an “unprecedented” example of attack on the sovereignty of the Russian people.
The president of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova, for her part judged that “there is no doubt that the vote is valid and legitimate”, according to the Russian agency Ria Novosti.
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