Ukraine denounces the “farce” of the Russian presidential elections in its occupied territories

Ukraine denounces the Russian presidential elections in the occupied territories of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhya It is Khersonas well as in Crimeaand appealed to its citizens not to vote in elections that it describes as a “sham”, amid several reports of irregularities.

Ukrainian Deputy Minister Irina Vereshchuk asked residents of occupied areas, which represent approximately 20% of the country, to avoid participating in elections “by all means”.

“Occupiers can choose whoever they want and say whatever they want in their justification. The main thing is that Ukrainian citizens avoid participating in this farce,” said to be the main phase of the three-day vote in Russia and the territories illegally attached in 2014 and 2022.

Vereshchuk emphasized that Russia “does not respect any international rights, freedoms, norms or conventions” there, and urged residents of occupied areas “do everything possible to get out.”

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Nonsense, not elections

The Russian presidential elections in the occupied territories are not only illegitimate, but have nothing to do with real elections, Petró told EFE. Andryushchenkoadvisor to the legitimate mayor of the occupied eastern city of Mariupol.

“It’s not just about its illegality. The fact is that they have no characteristics of elections”he said.

As Russia seeks to legitimize its occupation of Ukrainian territories In the eyes of its citizens, by creating an image of broad participation and support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, any data on electoral participation will be insignificant and very far from reality, he states.

“There can be no reliable data simply because there are no voter lists. And hold elections, even illegalWithout these lists it is absurd.“, emphasizes Andryushchenko.

According to him, less than 20% of the inhabitants of Mariupol They remain in the city, while tens of thousands of Russians have arrived there since its capture almost two years ago.

Still, to encourage participation, Russia formally allowed even residents who only hold a Ukrainian passport to vote.

“It is nonsense for Ukrainian citizens to elect the president of the Russian Federation”emphasizes Andryushchenko.

Since many have multiple passports, they can easily vote as many times as they want amidst the lack of one effective control.

“In our experiment, a member of the resistance managed to vote 15 times”he said Andryushchenko.

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Forced to vote

According to Katerina Mijalevskaanalyst OPORAan NGO that focuses on electoral practices, Russia is using the election to test the loyalty of remaining residents and is, in effect, forcing them to vote.

In occupied areas of the regions of Zaporizhzhya It is KhersonMembers of the electoral commissions created by Russia have been visiting residents in their homes since February 25, accompanied by at least one armed soldier.

“There are videos, as well as testimonies we received, both direct and anonymous, that confirm this. If anyone refuses to vote in his presence, he will immediately be asked: Why?”he told EFE Mijalevska.

It’s difficult to argue in the presence of armed men, he explained.

Evgeny Balitskyleader imposed by Russia in the occupied region of Zaporizhzhyaalso publicly announced that Russian authorities have a plan to filter and deport “untrustworthy citizens”, says the expert.

In many cases, voting is carried out in “polling stations“Improvise on the streets, where secret voting, effective monitoring and secure storage of ballots are impossible,” he said. Mijalevska.

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No to international recognition

Ukraine calls on foreign countries and international organizations to refrain from recognizing the results of the pseudo-elections.

While, according OPORAto the “elections” aims to confirm the “desire” of the occupied Ukrainian territories to be part of Russia, Andrushchenko estimates that only 25% of residents left Mariupol They have pro-Russian views.

“These 15 thousand to 20 thousand people are enough to make videos of advertising. But it’s nothing when it comes to reflecting the willpower real of population” he claimed.

In these circumstances, recognition of the legitimacy of electoral results throughout the Russia by international organizations and member states of the UN would demonstrate its crisis and its “inability to ensure diplomatic isolation Russia“, believes Mijalevska.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.