Experts associate low voter turnout in Astrakhan with growth of distrust in elections

The elections in Astrakhan have shown a record low voter turnout; and they are declared as valid. This was reported by the Regional Election Commission. The experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" associate the low voter turnout with the low significance of the elections and the low level of trust in the institution of elections in Astrakhan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 13, a number of regions of Southern Russia and Northern Caucasus held voting at the elections of various levels, including of the elections of deputies to the City Duma in Astrakhan.

On the Election Day, the Astrakhan Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) accepted 27 complaints about violations. The information on ballot stuffing is under verification. The turnout at the electoral precincts of the city was 16.36% of the voters. The City Election Commission reported on the lowest voter turnout for the duration of major elections in Astrakhan.

According to political analyst Nikolai Grishin, on September 13, the voter turnout was affected by the low level of public confidence in the institution of elections in Astrakhan.

"The most important factors of low turnout include the inconvenient election date, passive pre-election campaign from the majority of members, and exceptionally low level of trust in the institution of elections existing in Astrakhan. It should also be noted that the voter turnout is always lower at the minor elections," Nikolai Grishin told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.