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Turnout in Kemerovo mayoral election above 28 pct

The early election was announced after the previous mayor of Kemerovo had resigned in the summer of 2012 after 16 years in office

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

KEMEROVO, January 27 (Itar-Tass) – Over 28.11 percent of voters have used their right to elect Kemerovo’s mayor on Sunday, press service of the city’s administration said referring to the regional election commission.

“As of 12:00 /09:00 Moscow time/, the turnover made 28.11 percent,” the source said.

Press service of the local police did not report and incidents at election stations.

“The voting continues quietly,” the press service said. About 1,200 police are guarding the city on the day.

The early election was announced after the previous mayor of Kemerovo, Vladimir Mikhailov, had resigned in the summer of 2012 after 16 years in office. Valery Yermakov, who used to be the vice-governor of the Kemerovo region in charge of the housing and utilities sector, was appointed Kemerovo’s acting mayor. Later on, the United Russia party nominated Yermakov as its candidate for the mayoral elections. The Yabloko party has nominated Artur Stash while the LDPR has nominated woman candidate Irina Orekhova. Tomofei Popov will run for the mayor as an independent candidate.

A total of 194 polling stations are open on the day of vote. Forty automatic vote processing systems have been installed at the precincts. About 395,000 Kemerovo residents have the right to cast their ballots on Sunday. The voters will be able to obtain free cinema, circus or theatre tickets as well as invitations to visit swimming pools and fitness centres right at the polling stations. Besides, general practitioners, ophthalmologists, dentists and other specialists from city polyclinics will offer medical consultations to the voters in specially equipped rooms. The people will also be able to undergo ultrasound examination, to make an electrocardiogram and measure the level of sugar in blood.

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