The job is done for President Vladimir Putin. His ‘United Russia Party’ on Sunday announced another victory in the election to State Duma of Federal Assembly (lower house of parliament) that was held from September 17-19. Interestingly, it was nothing surprising to the international community. Everything was set for Mr. Putin – the vocal critics were barred from election, dissidents were sent to jail and Central Election Commission worked hard to manage the victory in favour of Putin’s party. Particularly, the main opposition leader Alexei Navalny was kept behind bars. There were widespread allegations of ballot stuffing, forced voting and so, the result was clear to the Russians. Over 90% of votes were counted where United Russia won nearly 50%, followed by the Communist Party with about 20%. For Putin, this election result is not so important for existence. This win would only ensure a majority of his party in the ‘rubber stamp’ parliament.
Earlier, as the supreme authority of Russia, Mr. Putin managed to get another six years securing a massive victory (like Sunday’s polls result) in presidential election of March 2018 — that paved way for his staying in power till 2024. Putin has ruled Russia as President or Prime Minister since 1999 and he has already cleared his path to stay in power until death. Putin managed to pass constitutional changes in 2020 that allowed him to run for President twice more to extend his rule until 2036. In each case he managed to get huge votes abusing the Central Election Commission, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. All the time, his opponents were kept silent. So, there are many things from where the autocrats could take lessons from Putin on how to extend their tenures.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda went to Russia on September 16 on a 7-day visit to observe the elections to the State Duma. Mr. Huda’s Russia visit has been arranged specifically to get extra knowledge about the election procedures in the country. The funny thing is that when most of the Bangladeshi people have forgotten about participatory elections, CEC has been visiting Russia to get more knowledge on the same subject. The CEC’s tenure ends in February.
Mr Huda has no business as Chief Election Commissioner so there was nothing to learn about rigging election in Russia. He should have been ashamed for taking such a worthless visit. In Russia at least election is held though rigged. In our country we have no election, it is robbed.
