Liberal International, 29.09.2016

Violent acts, intimidation, and fraud have led the Russian United Democratic Party (YABLOKO – LI full member) to reject the 18 September State Duma election results across Russia amid demands that the government and authorities cease intimidating liberal activists and party supporters.

“The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO does not recognise the results of the election of the 7th State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. […] The elections of 18 September, 2016, demonstrate the deep crisis the state is now in, as well as testify of the destructive developments in the society,” stated Grigory Yavlinsky, YABLOKO party founder and candidate for the parliamentary election.

LI President of Honour and President of the ALDE Party (LI Cooperating Organisation) Hans van Baalen MEP gave some insight by saying: “Putin is overseeing the demise of Russian democracy; this will be his legacy. If he was really a strong leader and a man of the people, the Russian President would have enabled free and fair elections, instead of using the apparatus of the state to stifle democratic voices”.

The reasons behind the rejection of the results are based on the low voter turnout of only 35% and the reports of electoral violations, including preventing registered voters to cast a ballot and hundreds of illegitimate ballots being used. Appalled by the results, party leader Emilia Slabunova said: “This is the evidence that people turned away from the government, turned their back on it.”

Prior to the September election, YABLOKO had launched their electoral programme, outlining a coalition for democracy throughout the country.

Source http://www.liberal-international.org/site/YABLOKO_rejects_electoral_results_following_allegations_of_fraud.html