Lemonade, dominoes and Soviet uniforms: Russia holds "elections" in Kherson Oblast – photos, video
In the temporarily occupied part of Kherson Oblast, Russia is holding sham elections to the lower house of its parliament, the State Duma, with the help of themed polling stations styled after different periods of history – from the Russian Empire to the post-war USSR.
Source: Kherson media outlet Most
Details: The main phase of the illegal vote began on 18 September, following ten days of so-called early voting, and will run until Sunday 20 September. The Russian-appointed occupation authorities have described the decoration of the polling stations as a "historical journey".
At least four polling stations have been decorated in different styles, with members of the so-called election commissions dressing up in themed costumes.
In Henichesk, staff recreated the atmosphere of the 1960s, offering lemonade and cakes made to the "Soviet state standard", playing Soviet songs, organising games of dominoes and even handing out hats. Photographs of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, which was destroyed by Russian forces, were displayed on stands.
In Kalanchak, voters were greeted by characters dressed as Catherine the "Great" and Admiral Fyodor Ushakov, while in Chaplynka, the polling station was styled after the elections to the Russian Empire's first State Duma in 1906.
In Novotroitske, the Russians recreated the atmosphere of the first post-war Soviet elections in 1945-1947, with polling station staff wearing Soviet military uniform.
Most's report also features a young man who said he received a notebook and headphones, complete with case, for taking part in the vote.
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed proxy governor of occupied Kherson Oblast, voted at a polling station named after Kirill Stremousov, a collaborator who was killed. Saldo sat in a vintage car, played dominoes, and sampled the pastries on offer.
Background: Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging the world not to recognise the Russian elections to the State Duma and regional parliaments, which it is holding both on its own territory and in temporarily occupied Ukraine.
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