Ella Pamfilova, chair of Russia's Central Election Commission (CEC), said in an interview with the radio station Komsomolskaya Pravda that Russians who have emigrated should be stripped of their voting rights. "I believe that if you left the country, you betrayed — get out. But that is my position," she said, according to excerpts cited by DW.
Pamfilova specifically mentioned those who did not support Russia's war against Ukraine. According to her, it is "this audience that fled the country [that] is becoming active," including at polling stations abroad.
The CEC chief said the commission had recommended that Russian ambassadors in "unfriendly" countries ask local authorities whether they would ensure security during elections. "We are cooperating with the Foreign Ministry and our diplomatic staff. We have provided a number of options to minimize the dangers," she added, without specifying what measures were meant.
Asked whether restrictions on Russians abroad should be linked to the status of "foreign agent," Pamfilova said law enforcement agencies have enough tools to define "a comprehensive category of those who in the future can be deprived of the right to determine Russia's fate, including through voting." She stressed that changes to electoral legislation should be made by deputies of the next State Duma convocation.
According to DW, Russia's register of "foreign agents" has existed since 2012. Initially, it included only non-commercial organizations receiving foreign funding; since 2017, media outlets; and since 2020, individuals. Being placed on the list entails close scrutiny by authorities, reporting requirements, fines, and restrictions on income; the status is almost impossible to challenge in court.