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RUSSIA-POLITICS-VOTE-PETERSBURG
Kremlin candidate elected in Saint Petersburg, opposition cries foul
SAINT PETERSBURG, Sept 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A Kremlin-backed candidate has
been elected governor of Russia’s second-largest city of Saint Petersburg,
results showed Monday, but the opposition complained of vote fraud.
Alexander Beglov, who was previously acting governor and is a close ally of
President Vladimir Putin, won 64.57 percent of the vote with 97 percent
counted, the city’s electoral commission said.
The acting governor was running against just two little-known candidates,
who together won almost a third of the vote.
His main opponent had been Communist Vladimir Bortko, a prominent
television and film director, who pulled out at the last moment, complaining
that the result was pre-decided.
Thousands had rallied in the city after dozens of opposition candidates
were unable to register to stand in the polls.
The opposition complained of electoral fraud during Sunday’s vote,
publishing interviews with voters who claimed they were paid to back
candidates and images of ballot-stuffing.
The number of people listed as having voted also suddenly shot up in some
polling stations, they said.
The head of Russia’s central electoral commission, Ella Pamfilova, said
Monday that Saint Petersburg was among the Russian cities that saw complaints
to police over the actions of electoral officials.
A total of 17 observers were removed from polling stations on court orders
in the city, she said, adding: “I don’t like this situation.”
“The authorities have managed to sneak Alexander Beglov in,” said Boris
Vishnevsky, a popular local politician for the Yabloko liberal party who was
not permitted to stand as a candidate.
“It’s obvious that these aren’t elections but a farce.”
Critics have derided Beglov as unqualified and gaffe-prone, ridiculing him
for embarrassing jokes and missteps.
Russians on Sunday voted in local elections across the country with
Moscow’s municipal polls attracting the most controversy and resulting in
losses for the ruling United Party.
BSS/AFP/RY/1625hrs