Turnout nears 30% in St Petersburg municipal election with Matviyenko

ST. PETERSBURG, August 21 (Itar-Tass) —— The turnout in the two municipal elections in St. Petersburg involving Governor Valentina Matviyenko has grown. It nears 30% in the Petrovsky municipality and is nearly twice smaller in the Krasnenkaya Rechka municipality.

The Petrovsky municipality reported the turnout of 28.7% or 2,184 voters as of 4:00 p.m. Moscow time. “That is a regular turnout,” the municipal elections commission said. The commission did not take additional efforts to draw voters. “Our voters are people of high discipline – cadets of military schools and the Mozhaisky Military Space Academy,” the commission said.

The Krasnenkaya Rechka municipality reported the turnout of about 15%. Local election authorities are trying to attract voters with sport events and lotteries. Those who cast their ballot are given tricolor bands and “I Vote” stickers. Professional photographers take pictures of sticker holders in front of polling stations. Besides, the voters may attend a concert or a circus performance for free.

Regardless the turnout, the election will be pronounced valid.

The Krasnenkaya Rechka municipality has six polling stations with the total number of registered voters nearing 13,000. Voters are electing three deputies of the municipal council from nine candidates, among them Matviyenko.

The Petrovsky municipality has five polling stations and 7,800 voters. Matviyenko takes part in that election, too.

If Matviyenko wins the election, she may be delegated to the Federation Council from the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly or the city administration.

The ballot will end at 8:00 p.m. Moscow time, and voters will be counted.

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