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State Duma election kicks off in Russia, no OSCE observers not to be present for first time
POLITICS
17.09.2021 | 13:32
Russian parliamentary and local elections began on Friday and will last three days, BBC reported.
For the first time since 1993, election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will not be present due to “limitations” imposed by Russian authorities.
President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party is expected to win.
Although a total of 14 parties are taking part in the vote, many candidates seen as anti-Putin are barred from running, including anyone associated with Navalny’s opposition movement. Some prominent Kremlin opponents have been forced to leave Russia.
A Smart Voting app devised by jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been removed from Apple and Google stores on the day Russians start voting in parliamentary elections.
Russian authorities had threatened to fine the two companies if they refused to drop the app, which told users who could unseat ruling party candidates.
