Russian voters approved changes to the Constitution that will allow President Vladimir Putin to hold power until 2036. 

Putin, 67, has been in power for more than 20 years, becoming Russia’s longest-serving leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. After serving two presidential terms in 2000-08, he shifted to the Russian prime minister’s office, while protege Dmitry Medvedev served as a placeholder president. Putin reclaimed the presidency in 2012 and won another term in 2018. His current term ends in 2024.

What was the need for a referendum?

Putin introduced the reforms to the 1993 Constitution in January. They were hastily adopted by both houses of parliament and regional lawmakers.  

Putin insisted that Russians vote on the changes even if it is not legally required, arguing a plebiscite would give the amendments legitimacy.

The referendum asked Russians if they agreed or disagreed with changes to the country’s Constitution.

Among other changes, the reforms included a guaranteed minimum pension, a ban on same-sex marriages, the inclusion of “a belief in God” as a core value.

How was the voting conducted?

Initially planned for April 22, the referendum was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For the first time in Russia, polls were kept open for a week to bolster turnout without increasing crowds casting ballots amid the pandemic.

The Kremlin pulled out all the stops to encourage voting, with polls extended over nearly a week, the last day of voting declared a national holiday and prizes — including flats, cars and cash — on offer.

Official results published showed that Putin easily won the right to run for two more six-year terms after the current one ends in 2024.

The Central Election Commission said 78 per cent of votes counted across the world’s largest country supported amending the Constitution. Just over 21.2 per cent had voted against, it said.

Ella Pamfilova, head of the commission, said the voting process was transparent and that officials have done everything to ensure its integrity. 

Opposition politician Alexei Navalny had a different view and called the vote an illegitimate and illegal show designed to legalise Putin’s presidency for life.

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