Putin signed a law allowing elections to be held in regions where martial law has been declared

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that allows elections to be held in territories where martial law is in effect. The text of the document was published on the official Internet portal of legal acts.

Until now, the current legislation has prohibited the holding of referendums, as well as elections to state authorities and local self-government, in regions where martial law has been declared.

According to the new law, the Central Electoral Commission may decide to hold elections in such territories after consultations with the Ministry of Defense and the FSB. The document signed by Putin allows elections to be held both throughout the region, where martial law is in force, and in its individual parts.

At the same time, a change in the legislation came into force, which introduces administrative detentions for up to 30 days for violations of prohibitions and restrictions established in territories where martial law has been introduced. In addition, the law now allows the forced "relocation" of residents of such territories.

In October 2022, Vladimir Putin decreed martial law in four Russian-annexed Ukrainian regions - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.

In March 2024, presidential elections are to be held in Russia.

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