An amendment package to Russia’s federal constitutional framework governing martial law and electoral procedures in the newly integrated regions was placed before the State Duma. The disclosure came from Pavel Krasheninnikov, who chairs the Duma Committee on State Construction and Legislation, and was reported by TASS.
Under existing Russian law, when martial law is in effect, elections and referendums for national and local authorities are suspended in the affected zones. Krasheninnikov stressed that the proposed amendments aim to resolve a legal inconsistency by enabling citizens to cast ballots and express their political will despite the martial law regime, eliminating the apparent contradiction with the broader admission of new subjects to the Russian Federation.
There was also a note from Igor Krasnov, the former Prosecutor General, emphasizing that prosecutors would be directed to uphold the rule of law, maintain transparency, and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process in the four regions that had joined the federation. These regions are set to hold elections in September despite the ongoing security considerations that accompany the transition.
The background to the developments traces back to February 24, 2022, when the Russian president announced a special military operation in response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, a move that catalyzed significant constitutional and territorial shifts. Following the outcomes of referendums conducted in those territories during September, the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions were incorporated into Russia. Martial law was subsequently declared in these regions and remained in force as of October 2022, shaping the legal and political environment for elections and governance in the period that followed.
Analysts note that the ongoing dialogue around the electoral process in these areas centers on aligning national constitutional provisions with the practical realities of administration, security, and citizenship in newly incorporated territories. The discussions underscore the government’s aim to ensure that elections proceed in a manner that upholds legal standards, while also addressing the expectations of residents who reside there and participate in the political process. In examining these measures, observers highlight the balance between constitutional order, regional security, and the rights of voters to participate in elections that determine local and national leadership.