MOSCOW, January 9. /TASS/. Unfriendly nations have intensified efforts to undermine Russia’s upcoming presidential election slated for March, a commission of the Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) reported.
"The working group of the Commission [on the protection of state sovereignty and prevention of interference in the internal affairs of Russia] has registered increased efforts by unfriendly countries to conduct a propaganda campaign to undermine the Russian presidential election," the commission said on its Telegram channel. "Blatant accusations and assessments are being made through media outlets sponsored and controlled by the West and foreign agents with a view to forming a negative perception of the election campaign and electoral procedures as such in Russia," members of the commission added.
Among other things, unfounded allegations about efforts to force people to collect signatures in support of incumbent President Vladimir Putin and reports calling for recognizing the Russian government as illegitimate were published on platforms registered as foreign agents.
The working group reminded individuals under foreign control that they are not authorized to conduct any activity that may hamper the promotion of candidates or the election of registered candidates. Nor can foreign agents take part in any election campaigns at all, the commission said in a statement.
Russia will hold its presidential election on March 15-17, 2024.