February 19, 2024

Win Big Voting in the Presidential Election


Win Big Voting in the Presidential Election
Putin himself votes in a past election. Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.

Some voters in Moscow will be rewarded for voting online in the upcoming 2024 Russian presidential election, in an apparent breach of election law.

Three categories of voter are being targeted for prizes: voters over 60, under 25, and those voting online for the first time. The prizes, which can be as high as R1000 ($10.87), can be spent in pharmacies or on online subscriptions. 

Similar reward concepts have popped up in other regions. In Kamchatka, voters over 65 will receive gift certificates to their local movie theaters and packages of food if they vote at their registered polling place. 

Such incentives for voting appear to contradict election laws regarding free and voluntary participation in voting. The laws prohibit forcing or influencing voters to participate in elections or referenda.

The 2021 parliamentary election has also been questioned for its use of online voting, a format considered more vulnerable to hacking and fraud, but that is likely to be used again this year. 

 

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