Russian citizens supported constitutional changes: Putin can remain in power until his 83rd year

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin will be allowed to remain in power until 2036 with constitutional changes that the majority of Russian citizens voted for on Wednesday.

Based on the number of votes from three-quarters of polling stations, 77.6% of voters supported the proposed amendments to the 1993 constitution.

Voter turnout in Moscow and western parts of Russia was around 65%, while in some regions it reached as high as 90%.

Polling stations were open throughout the past week to avoid crowds that carry an increased risk of coronavirus transmission, but also to encourage citizens to vote. However, Kremlin critics claim that the results were manipulated. They also question the turnout percentage, which is relatively low in Moscow, while significantly higher in other regions, which they consider to be rigged.

Putin claims he has not yet decided whether he will run in 2024, but considers constitutional changes important so that citizens do not have to 'look for new candidates again'.

However, former Kremlin consultant Gleb Pavlovsky believes that this move by Putin speaks of his feeling of personal insecurity regarding the future, and that is why he wanted a sure proof of public support.

Euronews writes that the authorities made a great effort to persuade doctors, teachers, and public sector employees to vote, including even rewards and gifts.

Due to the epidemic, online voting was also enabled, and some journalists claim they could vote both at polling stations and online, suggesting that the referendum result could be manipulated.

Protesting against the referendum results, several activists formed the number 2036 with their bodies in Red Square, but the police quickly stopped them.

A little later, several hundred opposition members gathered in the center of Moscow to protest against the changes, thereby violating the ban on gatherings due to the coronavirus. However, the police did not intervene and even distributed masks to the participants.