Statement by the Chelyabinsk Regional Council of Yabloko, 6.09.2024

Photo by the regional branch of Yabloko

The Chelyabinsk Yabloko calls on the residents of the South Urals not to support any of the registered candidates for Governor of the Chelyabinsk region and candidates for deputies of the Chelyabinsk City Duma on the voting days of 7-8 September.

All these candidates are united on all key issues, including in relation to the special military operation. They all represent political parties that unanimously vote for repressive and militaristic laws.

We believe that all candidates admitted to participate in the elections will be on the ballots only because they made a “deal” with the present government and are part of it.

We were ready to support self-nominated candidates in these elections who would publicly advocate for concluding a ceasefire agreement, but we did not see any.

In these elections, the Chelyabinsk Yabloko nominated its candidates who demanded the following:

· a ceasefire agreement;

· the release of all political prisoners.

Given the current political monopoly on power and the demoralised condition of civil society, none of our candidates could or were allowed by the authorities to participate in the elections with such demands.

However, we were obliged to use these elections to appeal to the residents of the Southern Urals and offer them peace, freedom and sound changes.

There can only be a moral choice between several options for legal action 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 7-8 September:

· not to take part in the voting;

· invalidate the ballot by putting any signs in the square opposite all candidates.

Data on turnout and the number of invalid ballots must be officially published and open to everyone. The number of invalid ballots, and low turnout means that these are votes for PEACE and FREEDOM.

We will not be able to observe the voting process this time, since we are deprived of the opportunity to appoint our observers.

You should not expect changes after 8 September, but they will inevitably come. In order for sound changes to begin as soon as possible, there must be as many active supporters of peace and freedom as possible.

Do you want to act now? Join us!