An elections commission in Russia’s republic of Udmurtiya has prohibited the Liberal Democratic Party from sending voters CDs of songs performed by the party’s leader.
Before the regional elections in Udmurtiya, the Liberal Democratic Party was accused of offering voters various souvenirs, including t-shirts, baseball caps, deodorants and a CD with a collection of songs performed by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the party’s founder and unchallenged leader.
Though Zhirinovsly is not a professional singer and his singing skills are rather doubtful, he has already issued several albums with Russian folk songs, prison ballads and Soviet-era songs in his performance. The charismatic politician even managed to attact a wide audience and often performed at conventions, election campaigns and various celebrations.
However, the elections commission in Udmurtiya considered the offer to be qualified as an attempted bribery of voters, but said they will not levy any sanctions against the party. The electoral officials plan to send their evidences on the case to the police for further investigation.
The elections to the local parliaments of different regions are scheduled to be held on October 14. Four main parliamentary parties – United Russia, Fair Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Liberal Democratic Party - have their claims for the seats, as well as some smaller parties.
Author: Julia Alieva