02:37, 20 September 2026

The flood prevented residents of Khosta from participating in the voting.

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Residents of the Khostinsky district of Sochi complained that due to the flow of water rushing down from Mount Bythha, they were unable to reach the polling station and vote in the elections.

As reported by "reported various voter activity, but noted that a significant portion voted early. They also noted that voters doubt their ability to influence what is happening in the country.

The main voting in the elections for the State Duma of the IX convocation will take place on September 18, 19, and 20. Nine single-member districts have been formed in Kuban. In 13 municipalities of the region and on the federal territory of Sirius, early voting has been organized: depending on the territory, it takes place from September 14 to 17, so in parts of Kuban, voting will last up to seven days. A total of 67 electoral campaigns will take place in the voting days in Kuban, including elections to the State Duma, eight campaigns for the election of deputies to municipal representative bodies, and 58 campaigns for the election of heads of rural settlements; voting is organized at 2872 polling stations, as indicated on the website of the regional election commission. In Sochi, there are 244 polling stations.

Several voters from the Khostinsky district of Sochi, living near school No. 9, where polling station No. 45-12 is located, were unable to vote due to the flood, as the water blocked their access to the aforementioned station. This was reported on September 19 by a resident of Khosta Valentina to the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

The entire yard was flooded and it was unsafe

According to her, the polling station is within walking distance, and she planned to go and vote on September 19, as she had a day off. However, she was unable to vote because it started raining in the morning. "I reached the 9th school and saw a huge raging river approaching polling station No. 45-12, rushing down from Mount Bythha. There was no chance to get to the polling station. The entire yard was flooded and it was unsafe. I left. Apparently, it wasn't meant to be. I actually went just to spoil the ballot," she said.

Valentina admitted that she planned to vote for a party that was removed from the elections. After that, all her hopes crumbled, like many of her acquaintances. "Many are depressed and apathetic. The only hope was - and that has died. I know that many budget workers and entrepreneurs go to vote under pressure, and they don't care who is elected because everyone knows that no one will win except the ruling party. And then, as usual: spoiler parties will line up as they are told," she lamented.

Sergey also could not vote due to the flood. He told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that he was going to spoil the ballot. "I saw the flood and, of course, left. I can't row a boat to the polling station," he said.

There is no one to vote for, so I will spoil the ballot so that no one votes for me

Sergey does not believe in the elections and believes that all the problems in the country are related to the authorities. He noted that he would try to come again on September 20 if the water recedes, but he has not abandoned the idea of spoiling the ballot. "There is no one to vote for, so I will spoil the ballot so that no one votes for me," he added.

Alexander Saprykin works as an electrician, and he was told at work to go vote and take a photo at the polling station. "I don't understand politics. If it's necessary - then it's necessary. They even gave me a day off. But I couldn't vote - too much water. I will come tomorrow and vote if the water recedes," he told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

He noted that he was not given any instructions on whom to vote for. "I will put a checkmark next to someone. I don't care, I don't know anyone anyway," he stated.

Those in power always take everything for themselves

Elena Boyko also decided to postpone voting due to the weather conditions. She also told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" that she is not interested in politics and does not associate changes in the country with the choice of different authorities. "They are all the same. Those in power always take everything for themselves. What's the point of changing a needle for soap?" the woman stated.

At the polling station, observer Maria confirmed that almost no one came to the elections on September 19: "There were almost no people. People could not pass. The polling station was flooded with water. Water is flowing down from Mount Bythha to us; houses have been built there, and now the water flows down the slope into the school," she told the correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

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Translated automatically via OpenAI from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/426778