Parliamentary elections in Russia: online voting meets suspicion

In seven Russian regions, citizens can also vote in parliamentary elections online. Critics fear manipulation and report pressure on government employees.

The President himself is setting a good example: On Russian state television you can see Vladimir Putin casting his vote on the first of the three election days – sitting at his desk, at his computer.

“As you can see, I did my civil duty online,” says Putin. “This system is used in many countries, and it has also been tested several times in Moscow. I am now relying on your active civic participation. Make your choice.”

For the first time it is also possible to vote online in a Duma election – in a total of seven Russian regions. “In principle, up to ten million citizens can vote, that is the number that the system can create – while guaranteeing absolute security. Illegal interference is ruled out,” explains the head of the Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilowa.

Fear of election fraud

But it is not outside interference that critics of online voting fear, but manipulation by the state apparatus. “In principle, modern technologies are a good idea, but not for our country at this historic time,” says Jelena Selkowa, district representative for the Communist Party KPRF. “I have absolutely no confidence – or to put it another way: I am fully convinced that there will be forgeries.”

The fact that the election was extended to three days – officially for corona protection reasons – creates even more room for manipulation, both at the urns and digitally, say critics. Above all, employees of state institutions would be put under pressure to cast their votes online.

Dismissed for refusing to vote online?

“A lot of people turn to me and send me screenshots,” reports Selkowa. “There are various chats where people write that the bosses tell them to ‘sign up and bring two or three friends or relatives’ and so on. We had about the same situation in our work chat.”

An employee of the museum, in which Selkowa was employed at the time, told his colleagues via chat that they were being asked to register for electronic voting. When asked, it was said that the general director of the museum had ordered this. “I replied, ‘It’s illegal’. And after that, they didn’t want to renew the contract with me.”

In a written statement to the Russian media, the museum director explains that the decision was made against extending the contract for reasons of content. Selkowa is certain that her refusal to register to vote online was the main factor. She is now suing the court, but has no illusions about the decision.

Results minutes after polling stations closed

Meanwhile, Russian television explains again and again why it is particularly convenient and safe for citizens to vote over the Internet. The reporter is standing next to a glass urn. Inside are the decryption codes packed in envelopes. After the last polling station closes, they should open and reveal the results of the online voting within a few minutes.