Bears in Sukhum
Elections to the State Duma have been held in Russia. 111.6 millionhave voted. According to the Central Election Committee, the attendance was 47,81% percent (28.62% in Moscow) with 51.7 back in 2011.
The preliminary data show the loyalist United Russia party as the expected leader.
We have a slightly different story to tell. It comes from Abkhazia, where over 90 000 have both Abkhazian and Russian citizenship, and thus could vote in the parliamentary elections.
Almost zero attendance had been forecasted. But surprisingly 20,335 voters showed up at nine polling stations in Sukhum, Gagra, Pitsunda, Gugauta, Ochamchir, Tkvarchel, and in Bambora settlement in Gal, people lining up at some of them.
Preliminary election results in Abkhazia are:
- United Russia has secured 75,38% of the votes,
- Liberal Democrats – 6,64%,
- Communists – 5,85%
President Raul Khadjimba has voted early, at 9.30 am, and delivered a short program speech.
In part such a high attendance can be explained by the fact, that the voters have been transported to the polling stations in dozens by buses even from the far away villages at the expense of the Russian embassy in Abkhazia.
Galina Pozhidayeva, who lives on the outskirts of Sukhum, enjoyed being interviewed. I was brought from Airport (Sukhum district) by bus. I came to vote for Putin. The State Duma elections have already given us a lot, good pension, for instance. All in our bus vote for United Russia!
Another older woman exiting the polling station introduced herself as Marina Tarba and said: “I voted for Putin, my dear! But you shouldn`t write it down, I guess.
The impression was, that most came to vote “for Putin, not a party or philosophy.
Lidiya Koroleva from Sukhum believes, that “the elections will demonstrate the nations unity meaning Abkhazia and Russia. “I voted for Medvedev, that is for United Russia. He is the bear. We are the cubs. If everything is good in Russia, it means, that everything will be good here.
Most of the voters were of older age. Younger people were rarely to be met at the polling stations. They tended to stroll by and were reluctant to answer the questions.
Amanda: “I did not know the elections are being held today. What elections?
Inna: “I didn`t vote. Somehow they are not our elections.
Valery Gogua: “I didn`t vote, I do not consider us the Russian citizens. The idea of integration makes me angry, that is why I didn`t vote.
RimmaArdzynba: “I never vote. What comes out of it? Everything has been decided behind our backs long ago. Besides, why should we vote for these deputies, we have the ones of our own.
Irakli: “I got it, that it is the State Duma elections. Who from Abkhazia runs?
Svetlana Khodjava: “Oh, is it the elections day? I simply forgot. I will go right now and vote for the Pensioners Party.
An older woman told a man of her age sitting beside her on the bench near the polling station: “We should vote for Putin. There is nobody else!
“What?! – the man replied, who was wearing the cap with the “For justice inscription. – I will vote for the communists, not your Putin.
The opinions expressed in the article convey the author’s terminology and views and do not necessarily reflect the position of the editorial staff.
Published:19.09.2016
