Russians start illegal early voting for the presidential election in the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, east of Ukraine
Luhansk region, Ukraine (Svidomi) — In the temporarily occupied Luhansk region, east of Ukraine, Russians have started illegal early voting for the presidential election, says the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Artem Lysohor.
"Despite the challenges of getting there, the election commissions of the respective settlements of the occupied Luhansk region have already received the required number of ballots and somehow went to these remote places. In the morning, they will start searching the streets for residents," said the head of the Luhansk RMA.
Russians started preparations for forced mobilisation even before the elections were over, says Lysohor.
"Men of military age are being detained in several districts of the occupied [by Russians] Luhansk region. Such an order was given to local 'law enforcement officers'," Artem Lysohor explains.
In Sievierodonetsk and Rubizhne, the Russians have intensified checks at checkpoints.
"[The Russian military] are checking people's personal data on the lists. Men are being subjected to a more thorough inspection because the invaders will need them immediately after the vote (for mobilisation into the Russian army - Ed.)," the head of the administration adds.
Reports of Moscow's plans to organise and hold its March presidential elections in the Ukrainian territories currently under its control are "deeply disturbing", said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General at the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, adding that the attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory has no validity under international law.
On December 11, 2023, the Russian Central Election Commission decided to hold 'elections' of the Russian president in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The presidential election in Russia is scheduled for March 17, 2024.
It will be recalled that international humanitarian law prohibits holding elections in the occupied territories.
