Russian election chief warns candidates skipping debates could lose

Candidates standing for Russia’s parliament who skip pre-election debates could lose the election, Central Election Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova has said.

She said only a small number of debates had been cancelled because candidates failed to attend, adding that those who did not show up had already been publicly criticised.

“The state provides the time — come and, if you are so great, convince your voters. And if a person neglects this, then, well, what kind of MP are they? I think no one will elect such people. So this will be a good wake-up call for them,” Pamfilova told Russian media.

Elections to Russia’s ninth State Duma are due to take place from September 18 to 20.

The Central Election Commission began accepting applications for voting at home on September 10.

The commission has also said it expects provocations during the elections from people who have “fled the country”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev