Russia prints presidential ‘election’ ballots in Transnistria — MD deputy PM
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Russia illegally printed ballots for voting in an unrecognized region of Transnistria ahead of the Russian presidential "elections" scheduled for March 15-17, Oleg Serebrian, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister said, a European news website Euractiv reported on March 14.
“These ballots were more than likely printed right there (in Transnistria) to avoid taking them through a border crossing,” said Serebrian.
“Moldova’s borders are controlled and there is no way of legally bringing them in or taking them out.”
Moldova’s authorities have already summoned the Russian ambassador to address the decision to open six polling stations in Transnistria, violating the agreement that permits voting only at one polling station at the Russian embassy in Chisinau.
The ambassador rejected the complaint and told journalists that Russia allegedly wants to ensure voting for approximately 250,000 of its citizens in the region.
Read also: Moldovan Parliament leader optimistic country can achieve goal of EU accession prior to 2030 target
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced in late 2023 his participation in the so-called Russian presidential elections in March 2024.
The head of the Russian CEC, Ella Panfilova, said on Dec. 7 that they would consider holding Presidential elections in the occupied territories of Ukraine: in Crimea and the occupied parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson oblasts.
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said that voting in the occupied territories of Ukraine would be “illegal, and null and void.”
Deputies from the unrecognized breakaway region of Transnistria appealed to Russia’s Federation Council and State Duma, requesting “protection” for the region on Feb. 28.
They claimed this is necessary due to alleged “pressure from Moldova.” In response, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it is “carefully” considering Transnistria’s request.
Read also: FSB interrogates and recruits Ukrainians in unrecognized Transnistria — NRC
Moldova does not anticipate any escalation or destabilization in the Transnistrian region, Daniel Vode, a spokesperson for the Moldovan government, said following the so-called summit.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
