Activists file notices for protests against election fraud in four Russian cities: St. Petersburg, Perm, Izhevsk, and Kazan

Activists in St. Petersburg, Perm, Izhevsk, and Kazan notified authorities of plans to hold rallies against fraud in the recent State Duma elections.

In St. Petersburg, Yegor Pryanishnikov, an activist and member of the Rassvet Party, filed notices with the Primorsky District administration for rallies in Victory Park on the city’s outskirts on October 3 and 4. He said he filed notices for both days “to reduce the likelihood of being turned down on a technicality.” According to the notice, 499 people are expected to attend.

In Perm, activist Alexey Oglobin said he had filed a notice with City Hall for a 500-person rally on October 4 at the Esplanade in the city center.

In Izhevsk, local activist Dmitry Morozov notified authorities of plans for a 500-person rally on the afternoon of October 3 near the Friendship of Peoples monument, also known as “Kulakova’s Skis.”

In Kazan, Dmitry Rumyantsev, the former head of Boris Nadezhdin’s local campaign office, notified authorities the previous day of plans to hold rallies against election fraud on Freedom Square on October 3 and 4.

Following the September 18–20 State Duma elections, election analysts and journalists said United Russia’s vote share had been inflated to nearly twice its actual level. Novaya Gazeta Europe and Important Stories estimated that 34–35% of voters cast ballots for United Russia, but the Central Election Commission said the party had received nearly 58% of the vote.

Experts also believe votes were taken from other parties and added to A Just Russia’s total so that it could clear the 5% threshold required to win seats in parliament.

Experts estimate that actual turnout in the State Duma elections was about 40%, while the Central Election Commission reported 59% turnout.