Russian elections and electoral signalling
Abstract
This study assesses the democratic integrity of Russian regional elections and the degree to which they can be considered to have been, free and fair. In particular, it examines electoral malpractice in the last three rounds of regional assembly and gubernatorial elections which took place in September 2014, 2015 and 2016. In answer to the question, why do popular authoritarian regimes, engage in election fraud, the study argues that high degrees of blatant electoral manipulation send a strong signal to members of the opposition that there can be no political future outside of the ruling party, and it is pointless to try and mount a challenge against the regime.
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