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Russia to ensure voting rights of its citizens abroad - Lavrov

Russia will do its utmost for as many Russian citizens residing abroad as possible to cast their ballots at the State Duma elections on December 4

CHISINAU, November 22 (Itar-Tass) — Russia will do its utmost for as many Russian citizens residing abroad as possible to cast their ballots at the State Duma elections on December 4, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in reply to the question whether Russia plans to open its polling stations in the Dniester region.

“As concerns the upcoming elections to the State Duma on December 4, our stance is based on the principal things – it is necessary to do our utmost for a maximum number of citizens irrespective of whether they stay in Russia or abroad to be able to use their voting right,” he said. “As for Russian citizens staying on the territory of Moldova we will be guided by the need to ensure our citizens’ rights fully respecting sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova.”

Moldova opposes the opening of polling stations for voting at the State Duma elections in the Dniester region, Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat told reporters on October 25.

He noted that Chisinau agreed to open additional polling stations “only on the territory controlled by the constitutional authorities.”

According to the central election commission of the unrecognized republic, over 140,000 Russian citizens reside in the Dniester region. Twenty-five polling stations will be opened for them to vote at the State Duma elections. During the previous elections 24 polling stations were opened. Then a total of 47,731 Russian citizens cast their ballots. More than 90 percent of them were residents of the Dniester region.