More scandal elections in Arkhangelsk?

The elections to be held in a number of regional municipalities on Sunday 12 October will be an important test for regional authorities and Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk. The elections come less than four months after the scandal Arkhangelsk city mayor’s elections. Then, only 17,9 percent of the electorate cast their votes. In addition, the woman who was first declared the winner of the vote was later deprived the victory after a recount of votes demanded by the city administration. The opposition cried fault, but was not listened to not by the authorities, nor by the courts. The May 25 Arkhangelsk city mayor’s elections still continue to haunt the region. The original winner of the vote, Larisa Bazanova, has sued that local election commission and is ready to take her case to high court levels. In this Sunday’s elections, 1841 deputies to local municipal counties, as well as 181 town mayors will be elected. According to Rusnord.ru, regional authorities and the Arkhangelsk branch of the United Russia party now fear that the elections will be another expression of protest and thus be a new blow to the reputation of the ruling elite. The elections will be the last ones where independent candidates can participate. That will open up for protest votes. In future local elections, only candidates from political parties will be entitled to run.