Members of the precinct electoral commissions in Sochi talked about the first day of voting.

THIS MATERIAL (INFORMATION) IS PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY FOREIGN AGENT LLC "MEMO", OR RELATES TO THE ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN AGENT LLC "MEMO".

At the polling stations in Sochi, there was varying activity; however, a significant portion of voters voted early, noted members of the precinct electoral commissions. They pointed out that many voters do not see elections as a way to influence what is happening in the country.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", protest sentiments in Kuban may manifest primarily in the refusal of some dissatisfied residents to participate in voting, rather than in an increase in support for opposition parties. This is facilitated by distrust in the elections and the weakness of party structures, analysts interviewed by "Caucasian Knot" indicated.

In Sochi, on the first day of voting, voters and members of the precinct commissions talked about varying activity at the stations, early voting, and the reasons why people come or do not come to the elections. Interviewees for the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" also spoke about rising prices, fuel problems, and drone attacks. At the same time, they said that many do not perceive the connection between everyday problems and elections as a way to influence the situation. The published comments are not a public opinion poll and do not claim to be representative, reflecting only the private opinions of those interviewed.

Member of the precinct electoral commission No. 65-24 at school No. 15 in Sochi Elena reported that during her duty on September 18, there was no noticeable activity from voters at the station. At the same time, she said she was not surprised that a significant portion of voters at the station took advantage of early voting. "I am not surprised. Such activity happens in all elections, and there are never any explanations for this phenomenon," said Elena.

According to her observations, the presence of commission members or observers who closely monitor what is happening at the station can influence the nature of voting. "There is a very clear trend: when a principled commission member or observer appears on duty, voter turnout sharply decreases at the precinct, but it increases due to home voting," claims Elena.

The electoral system is increasingly losing civil control

She believes that changes in the organization of voting reduce the possibilities for civil control. "The electoral system is increasingly losing civil control," said the commission member.

According to Elena, conversations among residents touch on the rising prices of utilities and food, fuel shortages, and drone attacks. However, she claims that many do not perceive elections as a way to express their attitude towards what is happening. According to her, some people come to vote after corresponding recommendations or requirements from their workplace, studies, or due to the school where their child studies. At the same time, Didenko does not believe that such behavior indicates active political participation; rather, it shows people's disbelief that they can change anything in their lives by choosing worthy authorities.

On September 18, polling stations in Sochi temporarily suspended operations due to a drone attack. Commission members, observers, and voters were moved to shelters, and after the threat was lifted, the stations resumed operations.

Elena also recounted an episode that occurred on the morning of September 18 at her station. According to her, shortly after the station opened, an elderly voter arrived. At that moment, an air raid alert was announced due to a drone attack, and commission members were instructed to leave the voting room and close the station.

The voter, according to Elena, was deaf and did not hear the siren. He did not understand why he was not being given a ballot and was asked to leave the room, after which he left angrily. "This is how voting started at our station: the first voter arrived, and immediately the air raid alert sounded. He was not given a ballot and was asked to leave. But since the grandfather was deaf, he did not hear the siren and did not understand why he was being asked to leave at all," said the commission member. About an hour later, according to her, commission members were returned to the room, and the station's work continued. There were few people.

Some commission members noted unprecedented voter activity

A member of the precinct electoral commission with a decisive vote from Lazarevskoye Inna shared a different experience from working at the station. According to her, when she began to record violations, other commission members began to threaten her and obstruct her from documenting what was happening. The commission member claims that she tried to file a complaint with the chairperson of the precinct electoral commission due to the impossibility of controlling the situation at the station; however, the chairperson, according to her, refused to accept the document.

The activist also speaks of the passivity of some voters who, according to her observations, are not under administrative pressure. She links this to a lack of faith in the possibility of elections to influence the situation.

Just an unprecedented increase

A member of the precinct electoral commission No. 45-12 in Sochi Olga also spoke about what she considers unusual voter activity. She noted the number of people included in additional lists and the total volume of ballots issued at the station. "Just an unprecedented increase," said Olga, comparing the situation to previous elections. According to her observations, some people come to vote without a sufficient understanding of who is participating in the elections. She links this to pressure on voters.

An observer at the precinct electoral commission No. 10-10 in Hot Key Valentina Shostak also reported abnormal voter activity during early voting. According to her, some people who came to the station said they came at the request of management. "People go under duress and do not hide it. They say, 'We were forced,' take pictures with ballots, and say that this is needed for reporting to the management," Shostak said. According to her, when asked about the reasons for such behavior, some voters replied that they were afraid of losing their jobs.

Shostak believes that some voters are indifferent to what is happening and are primarily focused on everyday survival. "Whether they want any changes is unclear," she said.

87-year-old resident of Sochi Nina reported that she initially planned to come to the elections but then changed her mind. She explained this by saying that she hoped to express her position through participation in the elections, but after information about the removal of the party she wanted to vote for, she decided not to go. "I thought I would vote and that something would change. But then I was told that they were removed. So what is the point?" said the woman.

The state has deceived us all our lives. There were hopes that something would change, but now I see that there are no chances at all

She linked her attitude towards the elections to her personal experience of living during the war, economic hardships, and long-standing conflicts over housing. "The state has deceived us all our lives. There were hopes that something would change, but now I see that there are no chances at all," she said.

According to Nina, young people may also avoid political activity due to fear of possible mobilization. At the same time, she added, among residents, there are those who fully support the actions of the authorities.

"I do not see how elections could influence improvement, but let them know that we are against the authorities," said resident of Krasnodar Maria Soboleva to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

I do not believe in elections, nor in improving life under such power

According to her, she plans to go to the elections and spoil the ballot. "I will go to vote on September 20 at 12 o'clock. I want to see how many like-minded people will come. I do not believe in elections, nor in improving life under such power, but let them know that there are many of us," she concluded.

* the activities of the company Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.