Artificial increase of voter turnout in Russian presidential elections is harmful, it harms electoral system – Pamfilova

MOSCOW. Dec 28 (Interfax) – Russian Central Elections Commission Chair Ella Pamfilova has spoken categorically against attempts to artificial increase voter turnout in the 2018 Russian presidential election.

“I am warning our representatives in the regions, administration officials, not to make any attempts to force an artificial increase in voter turnout,” Pamfilova said at a Central Elections Commission meeting on Thursday.

“Not only does no one need it, but it is also incredibly harmful. It will do much more harm [to the electoral system] than if the voter turnout is lower than expected,” Pamfilova said.

The Central Elections Commission “is fighting administrative resources,” she said. “Voter turnout should be absolutely voluntary,” she said.

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