A vote that could change the constitution in Russia, allowing for President Vladimir Putin to maintain his grip on power through 2036 is set to take place on July 1, after its original April 22 vote date was postponed due to coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Arguing that Russia will have 30 days before the vote to set measures and re-enforce efforts to control the pandemic, Putin, who made the announcement during a televised meeting with officials instructed the heads of the Central Election Commission of Russia, Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being and the regions to ensure complete security in the areas.
Ella Pamfilova, head of the country’s Central Elections Committee, during the meeting, also proposed several ideas such as early voting starting June 25, mobile voting stations, online voting in certain regions, as well as the implementation of outdoor polling units in a bid to reduce crowds and ensure the safety of voters during the pandemic. “The longer the vote is delayed, the more the groundwork that was made will be blurred,” she said.
Speaking during the meeting, Putin emphasized the importance of the constitutional vote, saying that “the constitution forms the foundation of our country’s life, the lives of our children, and will determine the main legal guarantees, key social and labour relations guarantees as well as principles of our interaction with international partners.”
What does the current law say?
While the current law prevents Putin from running for president again in 2024 after being in office as either president or prime minister since 1999, the new amendment, which has parliament backing, will change Russia’s law, resetting Putin’s leadership clock, therefore allowing him to continue as president all through to 2036 with two more back-to-back six-year terms if elected.
Russia currently has the world’s third-largest number of coronavirus infections, with new cases reported daily. Putin’s proposed amendment will be the first major constitutional change since 1993.
