Press Release, 22.07.2024

The required number of signatures for participation in the elections of deputies of the Chelyabinsk City Duma were submitted by the Chairman of the Chelyabinsk Yabloko and lawyer Yaroslav Shcherbakov (district No. 2, Kalininsky district), teacher of Russian language and literature Olga Sazonova (district No. 4, Kalininsky district), Chair of the Gender faction of the regional branch of Yabloko, student Maria Chikulayeva (district No. 19, Sovetsky district) and human rights activist Anna Ilyina (district No. 21, Traktorozavodsky district). The period for collecting signatures in support of the nomination of candidates for deputies of the Chelyabinsk City Duma has ended, and the verification of signatures by the electoral commission will commence soon. All Yabloko candidates are running in the elections demanding the immediate conclusion of a ceasefire agreement and the release of all political prisoners.

The Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko also put forward a party list of candidates to participate in the elections of the City Duma. The headquarters had to quickly collect 5,000 signatures from city residents in support of the nomination. In difficult political conditions and with resistance from the Mayor’s Office, Yabloko managed to collect 3,000 signatures.

The leader of the regional branch, Yaroslav Shcherbakov, notes that work has become more difficult since 2020, when the Chelyabinsk headquarters collected 15,000 signatures for nomination of Yabloko candidates to the Legislative Assembly. Not all Chelyabinsk residents were able to find out information about the collection of signatures. Information cubes and outdoor advertising were banned for Yabloko. Shcherbakov also notes that people were afraid to give their passport data and openly support the call for peace and the demand for an immediate ceasefire agreement. In addition, according to Shcherbakov’s observations, people’s trust in elections and changes through elections has been vanishing.

“For the sake of peace and freedom, we must continue, convince people and win!” Yaroslav Shcherbakov says.

Candidates and the headquarters of the Chelyabinsk Yabloko are awaiting a decision on registration. Elections to the Chelyabinsk City Duma will be held on 8 September.