Russia's Central Election Commission will not introduce foreign agent markings for observers and media in the upcoming regional elections in September.
Member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation Igor Borisov stated this today at a press conference, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“The Commission considered such measures excessive at the current stage, but did not exclude them in the future - as a response to increased interference from the West in our national political procedures through its agents. This is not about restricting rights, but about labeling. The CEC did not even take such a restrictive step. We believe that the situation is developing normally and is under control. We are ready to hold elections in this mode,” Borisov said.
At the same time, he admitted that attempts to influence Russian elections on the part of the collective West are increasing. The Central Election Commission feels pressure from pro-Western public organizations. In particular, the OSCE intends to hire such social activists to obtain previously known conclusions.
The CEC expects increased influence on voters through social networks and foreign media.
“The particular harm of such technology for influencing elections is that foreign disseminators of disinformation pose as subjects of the electoral process: supposedly human rights activists, observers, active citizens - artificially forming the collective position of non-existent election participants, forcing voters to join it with the help of a flow of false information . Today, this work is carried out legally through organizations of individuals recognized as foreign agents,” Borisov said.