A rally against alleged fraud in Russia's State Duma elections and the misuse of administrative resources took place in Ulan-Ude on October 25. The demonstration, called "Against the Usurpation of Power," was organized by the regional branch of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF). Journalists estimated that around 100 people attended.
The event took place in Senchikhin Square. Participants included deputies of Buryatia's People's Khural, Communist Party representatives and participants in the recent election campaign.
Sibirsky Express reported on the rally. 7×7 had previously reported on pressure on the organizer and the rally's approval process. Sergei Levchenko, editor-in-chief of Baikalskaya Sibir, broadcast the event.
Speakers alleged irregularities during voting, including pressure on election observers, possible manipulation of turnout and results, vote-buying and the misuse of administrative resources.
Bair Tsyrenov, a deputy of Buryatia's People's Khural, alleged that municipal and settlement leaders had been mobilized to secure strong results for the ruling United Russia party. He said that in some districts, local officials may have been promised money and other rewards for achieving particular election results.
Another deputy, Timur Nimaev, alleged numerous violations during all three days of voting. According to the regional CPRF branch, party representatives found a bundle of ballots in a stationary ballot box in Kizhinginsky District. At another polling station, the Communists said, a voter register contained the signature of someone who had not come to vote. The party filed a complaint with police over the alleged incident.
These accounts reflect allegations made by election participants. There has been no independent confirmation of all the described incidents or of their possible effect on the election results.
The Communists had originally planned to hold the rally on October 4 in Yubileiny Park. However, the city administration declined to approve the proposed date and venue, citing a fair and a municipal cleanup campaign.
Organizers were instead offered October 25 in Senchikhin Square. Tsyrenov challenged the postponement in court, but the court upheld the administration's decision.
Several days before the rally, police officers visited Tsyrenov at his workplace and issued a formal warning against violating the rules governing public events.
According to the deputy, the officers also confirmed that the rally had been authorized. Tsyrenov described the visit as psychological pressure.
The demonstration was a public expression of opposition by some regional political figures to the parliamentary election results and the authorities' actions during the campaign.
Journalistic reports confirm that the rally took place. The participants' allegations of election fraud, however, remain subject to independent verification and should not be treated as an established assessment of the voting results.