After the State Duma elections were held, a massive rally of the opposition took place on Bolotnaya Square. The police detained about 300 people. According to eyewitnesses, the rally was peaceful.
Thousands of people gathered on Bolotnaya Square in Moscow to protest against the results of the State Duma elections. The protest was organized by opposition parties and public organizations.
During the rally, participants demanded a recount of votes and the resignation of the chairman of the Central Election Commission. Police officers detained several activists who were trying to break through the cordon to the building of the Central Election Commission.
At the moment, the situation in the center of Moscow is calm. The police continue to patrol the streets.
Bolotnaya Square
Bolotnaya Square is a historic square in central Moscow, Russia, located on an island between the Moskva River and the Vodootvodny Canal. Its name derives from the Russian word for “swamp” (boloto), as the area was once a marshy lowland. Historically, it was a site for public executions and protests, most notably the 1775 execution of Yemelyan Pugachev, and later became a gathering place for political demonstrations, including the 2011–2013 Russian protests.
State Duma
The State Duma is the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, the country’s national legislature. Established in 1906 following the Russian Revolution of 1905, it was dissolved after the Bolshevik Revolution but was re-established in 1993 under the current Russian constitution. Today, it serves as the primary legislative body, responsible for passing federal laws and overseeing the government.
Central Election Commission
The Central Election Commission (CEC) is a permanent, independent governmental body responsible for overseeing and conducting elections and referendums in many countries. Its history often dates back to the establishment of democratic electoral systems, with the CEC ensuring the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the electoral process. The specific functions and historical origins of the CEC vary by nation, but it typically plays a crucial role in voter registration, ballot counting, and certifying election results.
