Concerns in Russia Over Western Interference in Elections Using 'Armenian and Moldovan Methods'

The head of the State Sovereignty Protection Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, Vladimir Dzhabarov, has stated that the West has developed new methods to influence elections in Moldova and Armenia over the past two years, which could later be applied in Russia.

Dzhabarov mentioned on his Telegram channel that during the past two years, the West has been testing new methods to affect electoral processes in Moldova and Armenia, with the intention of eventually using them in Russia.

The senator claimed that provocations, including fake exit polls and false surveys, might be organized at foreign polling stations during the State Duma elections. Dzhabarov noted that Western media could announce 'fraud' and the illegitimacy of the elections based on such misleading information even before the voting concludes.

The official also announced the recruitment of volunteers among Russians abroad to carry out propaganda and conduct sociological surveys. Furthermore, he stated that provocative actions could occur directly at polling stations, such as ballot tampering, individual pickets, and attempts to disrupt electoral commission members through observers.

According to Dzhabarov, alongside these actions, a critical agenda would be formed in Russian and foreign media, as well as on social networks, aiming to discredit the elections.

The Russian senator asserted that this activity supposedly links to the country’s banned Anti-Corruption Foundation, which, according to him, has received over $1.5 million for such purposes, following a previous allocation of $1 million as 'an advance.'

Dzhabarov also noted that alleged plans to interfere in Russia's elections are openly presented in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament, receiving informational, organizational, and financial support from Western countries.

The elections for the State Duma's ninth convocation are scheduled for September 20, with the voting process taking place from September 18 to 20. According to the country's Central Election Commission, more than 300 polling stations will operate in 152 countries abroad.