Decision by the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko, adopted on 11.03.2024, published on 12.03.2024

Photo by Anatoly Zhdanov, Kommersant

The situation in the country during the current election campaign is radically different from all previous elections.

Restrictions on the rights of citizens characteristic of a martial law have been virtually introduced. Political censorship in the media, shutdown of international TV channels, blocking of web-sites, administrative and criminal prosecution of dissent based on laws envisaging punishment for “discrediting”, “fakes”, “extremism”, and “justification of terrorism”, laws on “foreign agents” and “undesirable organisations” – all this makes it impossible to have an open and broad public discussion about the choice of the future for our country. But this is precisely the essence of the campaign for the election of the head of state.

At the same time, the introduction of multi-day, mobile and remote electronic voting and persecution of the community of independent election observers make the vote counting completely opaque.

Four candidates, who are united on all the key issues, including in relation to the special military operation, are registered for the elections. Three of them represent political parties unanimously voting in the State Duma for repressive and militaristic laws, and the fourth candidate is Vladimir Putin. There is no alternative on the ballot to the government’s policy of continuing hostilities and killing people.

Figure: Key votings in the State Duma in 2022-2024 and positions of the four presidential candidates

Yabloko does not support any of the registered candidates.

For those who share our position, do not agree with what is happening and want to express their attitude towards it during the voting on 15-17 of March, there are, in fact, two options to legally express this position:
– do not take part in voting;
– put any signs in the squares opposite all the candidates (such a ballot is, in fact, considered invalid in accordance with the law, this is an analogue of voting “against all”).

Choosing any of these two options is a moral choice allowing to preserve one’s dignity and express one’s political position in the way that is possible today.

The future of the country is determined not by percentages of vote, but by how soon the fighting stops and peace negotiations begin. We are convinced that the main thing today is to stop the bloodshed. The fate of our fellow citizens and Russia’s place in the world depends on this. Only a ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations can give hope.

We urge Russian citizens not to lose heart – change will inevitably come. But in order for changes for the better to begin earlier, there must be as many supporters of peace as possible.

Yabloko will continue its political struggle for peace, including in the upcoming elections in September.

Yabloko calls supporters of peace to unite for the sake of the future, while understanding the complexity and duration of the coming period.

Want to act now? Come to Yabloko, join the supporters of the Yabloko party – the only Russian political party that really stands for peace and freedom.

This will be your choice in favour of peace, a practical step towards peace.

Grigory Yavlinsky,
Chairman of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko