ST. PETERSBURG, August 21 (Itar-Tass) —— The turnout in the two municipal elections in St. Petersburg involving Governor Valentina Matviyenko did not exceed 20% as of 2:00 p.m. Moscow time on Sunday.
The Petrovsky municipality reported the turnout of 18.8% or about 1,400 voters. “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 1,420 people or 10.6%. 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.
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.
The ballot will end at 8:00 p.m. Moscow time, and voters will be counted.