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Russian law enforcement beefing up security for election day

The Ministry of Interior Affairs has set up a 24-hour operational headquarters to ensure security

MOSCOW, September 14. /TASS/. More than 300,000 Russian law enforcement officials will provide security on September 18, when voting in parliamentary elections is set to take place, Russia’s First Deputy Interior Minister Alexander Gorovoy announced on Wednesday at the Central Election Commission’s office.

According to him, procedures to ensure security have been outlined. "The Ministry of Interior Affairs has set up a 24-hour operational headquarters," Gorovoy said.

The Interior Ministry has information that some political parties may organize protests after the voting process is completed, Gorovoy stated. "Some parties, including those taking part in the elections, have been planning protests, they have been calling on their supporters to start a campaign on September 19 claiming they don’t believe the vote count to be honest at some polling stations," the First Deputy Interior Minister added.

He warned participants in the electoral process that such calls may result in criminal penalties.

Gorovoy also addressed the citizens asking them not to fall for these types of provocations. "The legislators have provided us with great opportunities to express our disapproval on different matters, this right is enshrined in Article 54 of the federal law," he explained.

The State Duma elections will be held on September 18, when 39 Russian regions will elect their legislative assemblies, the elections of top officials will take place in seven regions of the country. Besides that, around 5,000 municipal elections will also be held.