Voting on for constitutional reform referendum in Russia

MOSCOW: Voting was underway on Wednesday for Russia's constitutional referendum that could pave the way for President Vladimir Putin to remain in office beyond 2024. The vote was postponed from April 22 due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports the Efe. A total of 109 million Russians are eligible to vote at over 96,000 polling stations Pwhich opened at 8 a.m.

Voting will end at 8 p.m., after which the counting of ballots cast during the past week until Wednesday will begin.

More than 45 per cent of the registered voters - some 49 million citizens - cast early votes in the nationwide ballot, according to the authorities, which extended the voting period by a week to prevent crowds at the polling stations and a possible outbreak of COVID-19.

The referendum, which opened for early voting on June 25, is being held under strict precautionary measures due to the pandemic.

Both voters and polling station officials must wear masks, maintain physical distancing and comply with other health measures, the Central Electoral Commission said. (IANS)

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