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320,000 police, 11,500 interior troops to ensure security at polls

The security in the run-up to the elections and during the elections is one of the top priorities for the police

MOSCOW, December 2 (Itar-Tass) —— Over 320,000 police officers and 11,500 servicemen of the Interior Troops will ensure the order and law at the elections to the State Duma on December 4. After the voting they will ensure the security for the delivery of the election documentation, the press centre of the Russian Interior Ministry told Itar-Tass on Friday.

“The Russian Interior Ministry has taken all necessary measures to ensure security at the elections to the State Duma. Some 321,500 policemen and 11,500 servicemen of the Interior Troops will ensure the law and order on this day,” the press centre said.

The security in the run-up to the elections and during the elections is one of the top priorities for the police.

“The operative headquarters of the Russian Interior Ministry, which works round-the-clock, receives all the information about violations of the election legislation that is immediately transmitted to the territorial alert police forces for an urgent response,” the press centre reported.

“All necessary mechanisms to ensure security at the election campaign are already practiced right on the Election Day,” First Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Gorovoy said.

“The police officers will be on duty at all 94,487 polling stations on the Election Day in order not only to maintain the law and order, but also to avert violations of the election legislation, including illegal canvassing and the bribery of voters. After the voting the policemen will ensure security in the delivery of the election documentation,” Gorovoy said, noting that the police forces were put on alert ahead of the elections. This alert regime envisages a higher numerical strength and more police patrols in the streets, the alert duty of police alert forces, rapid response groups and investigative teams.

Representatives of public associations, Cossacks in Russian southern regions will be also involved to ensure the security. “They are permanently engaged at important public and political events and give a major assistance to the police to ensure the law and order and security of people,” Gorovoy recalled.

The hotline works during the elections in the Russian Interior Ministry for the rapid response to probable violations. Since November 28, 70 reports about violations during the election campaign were made, including 40 calls and 30 email messages.

The first deputy interior minister noted that most facts reported in the addresses were proved. These addresses permitted the police to avert several crimes and offences.

Several mass media have made reports about probable political actions, including those unauthorized related with the elections in the State Duma.

The Russian Interior Ministry recalled that any public mass event should be held in strict compliance with the Russian law on assemblies, rallies, demonstrations, marches and pickets.