In the State Duma, there were changes proposed to how elections are conducted in areas under martial law. The proposal was brought forward by deputies Pavel Krasheninnikov and Dmitry Vyatkin, along with Senator Andrei Klishas, as reported by Kommersant. The aim is to resolve inconsistencies between federal laws on martial law and the integration of four new subjects into the Russian Federation.
The core issue lies in two conflicting legal frameworks. One document holds that referendums and elections for state authorities and local self-government cannot take place while martial law is in effect. The other document, addressing the first full parliamentary elections in the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye region, and Kherson region, states that these votes, implemented under martial law since October 20, 2022, should occur on the second Sunday of September 2023.
As Krasheninnikov, who chairs the State Duma Committee on State Building and Legislation, explained, the conflict could be resolved on legal grounds. The lawmakers chose to bridge the gap by introducing amendments that remove the contradiction between the two laws specifically for elections in the new regions. This approach allows for a coherent framework that accommodates the realities of the newly admitted territories.
The amendments grant regional heads under martial law the authority to send election proposals to the Central Election Commission (CEC). The CEC, after consultations with the Ministry of Defense and the Federal Security Service (FSB), can either endorse the governor’s proposal, reject it, or call elections with a potential shortening of electoral procedures. Additionally, the CEC retains the right to postpone elections and restart them if the conditions triggering the postponement no longer apply. This framework introduces flexibility designed to adapt to evolving security and administrative conditions while aiming to maintain electoral legitimacy.
Experts note that the changes give authorities an added lever to decide whether to proceed with elections or suspend them. There is also speculation that the September elections in some or all of the new regions may be delayed, rather than held as originally scheduled. The debate centers on balancing timely representation with the need to ensure transparency, security, and compliance with the altered legal landscape in the affected regions.
In a related move, former Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation, Igor Krasnov, emphasized the imperative of upholding the rule of law, ensuring transparency, and maintaining security in the elections planned for the four new regions in September. His statement reflects concerns about maintaining public confidence and the integrity of the electoral process during periods of martial law and regional integration.