Press release, 05.02.2016
YABLOKO Bureau claims that the change of power is possible only by peaceful way, therefore [YABLOKO] stands totally against revolutions and calls all the citizens of Russia to take active participation in the elections. In connection with this YABLOKO will start a mass informational and educational campaign to explain the political importance of parliamentary and presidential elections.

“The aggravion of the social and economic crisis makes the authorities use provocations: from the statements aimed at inciting discord among social and political groups for the actions under the principle “divide and rule” to the statements of unknown political scientists form unknown institutions with the proposal to cancel elections in Russia for an indefinite term,” noted YABLOKO Chairperson Emilia Slabunova, who proposed the Bureau to consider this statement.

“These provocations are a trial ballon to see the reaction of the society, Slabunova claims:”This shows that the authorities have no real and broad support, and the social discontent increases. In such conditions elections are viewed as the main threat to the political regime. In such a situation the public recognition of the emergency situation, public mobilisation for participation in the coming elections must take place”.

The high election turn out will provide the major protection form fraud and bring peaceful and positive chages, stresses YABLOKO Bureau.

“We call every citizen of Russia to realise the importance of responsible civil behavior. The future of the country depends on the personal choice of every person. The people and their active participation in elections is the only source of freedom and justice,” runs the statement.

YABLOKO claims that, taking into consideration all the difficulties that exist at the moment, participation in the elections is the only acceptable and legitimate way of changing the power.

The main task of the responsible opposition is not to allow violence to take place, claims YABLOKO Bureau.

YABLOKO stands against any calls for revolutions, no matter which reservations follow them and what modern terms they are being given.

YABLOKO Bureau also stands against the law on the restriction of election observers’ rights, which implies preliminary (three days in advance of the voting day) notification of electoral commissions on sending election observers to the polling stations, reduction of the number of observers sent to each electoral commission and the number of polling stations where only one observer can work; restriction of the rgiht to free video recording and photographing at the polling stations.

YABLOKO emphasises that these changes will essentially influence the control over the elections, allow the governmental bodies to get ready both for the number of election observers beforehand and thier absence at some polling places.

YABLOKO Bureau claims that this will lead to additional violations during the voting and provide new possibilities for falsification of the election results.

“This law undermines the political system of Russia and the stability of our country, reduces the legitimacy and authority of the elected bodies of power and all the Russian state still more,” runs the statement.