Putin signs the law: Russia can hold elections for three days

Russian President Vladimir Putin has returned a controversial bill to law, which enables the voting process to last up to three days.

This law was signed by the Russian president on July 31st and later published on the federal government page.

The bill was originally adopted by both Russian parliament chambers during July.

Shortly after adopting the bill by the Federal Council, Central Election Commission leader Ella Pamfilova has announced that the new voting system will apply during the elections in September to 41 of the 83 regions of the Russian Federation.

According to her, the vote will begin on September 11th and will last for three days.

The decision to keep the several-day election process is said to be taken by election officials.

Human rights organisations in Russia have sharply criticised this law, saying that power people give them more opportunities to control elections, and potentially the outcome.

The several-day vote has been applied for the first time in June 25th - July, when several constitutional amendments have been voted.

Among them has been the change that enables President Putin to compete for two more presidential mandates after his current mandate ends in 2024.