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First DPR residents vote in Russia’s parliamentary elections in Rostov Region

Residents of Donbass who have been granted Russian citizenship can join the process of casting ballots for State Duma members for the first time

DONETSK, September 17. /TASS/. Russian voters from the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) have for the first time joined the in-person voting to elect members of the Russian State Duma (lower house), they visited the polling stations in Russia’s Rostov Region, the Donetsk News Agency reported on Friday.

The news agency's correspondent who spoke with voters from the DPR noted that they were looking forward to Russia’s assistance in returning to civilian life. "We have always viewed ourselves as Russian nationals. After what Ukraine did to us, naturally, we want to be with Russia. We expect a better life and peace following the elections so that [our] children can return home and we can live in peace," said a voter named Svetlana Voloshina.

DPR Head Denis Pushilin voted online. "The elections of members to the Russian State Duma began today," he noted on his Telegram channel on Friday. "I voted remotely. The process did not take much time. Everything is clear, accessible and simple. I am sure that those who have chosen online voting will succeed."

"Frankly speaking, I am proud because we, along with our compatriots, are determining Russia’s future. This is our great, shared victory," he added.

Residents of Donbass who have been granted Russian citizenship can join the process of casting ballots for State Duma members for the first time. According to the latest reports, there are more than 600,000 of them. They can vote in person at 15 polling stations in the Rostov Region.

Elections to the 8th Russian State Duma (lower house) are scheduled for September 19, 2021, known as Single Voting Day. The balloting process will stretch out over three days — September 17, 18, and 19. In addition to the State Duma elections, voters will go to the polls to cast ballots for the heads of nine Russian regions (in another three regions, local legislatures will elect top executive officials) and in elections for 39 regional parliaments.