Local elections and suspicions of fraud: a protest that no one noticed

In October, local elections were held in a number of Russian regions. On paper - high turnout, “stable” results, “united” winners. But inside there are suspicions of falsification, pressure on the media, on observers, and reluctance to acknowledge complaints. In a number of cities, residents complained: voter lists contained errors, observers were not allowed in, and ballots were issued without checking IDs. Several initiative groups tried to report violations, but their voices were drowned out - the official results were announced almost immediately, and all those dissatisfied were left unanswered. For many, the election reforms and the “renewal of the elites” again turned out to be a fiction. People who hoped that change would begin at least at the local level were seriously disappointed. October 2023 became a symbol of the fact that “democracy by schedule” is just a form, and that without honest rules the truth cannot be achieved.