World

New ballot in Russian Far East after tainted vote tossed out

16 of December 2018

Oleg Kozhemyako, acting governor of the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai stands as he waits to get his ballot at a polling station in Vladivostok, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Russians living in the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai cast their votes Sunday for a new governor in a tightly watched election, with Kozhemyako reported to be leading the vote. (Igor Novikov, Governor and Administration of Primorye Territory press service via AP),Oleg Kozhemyako, acting governor of the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai stands as he waits to get his ballot at a polling station in Vladivostok, Russia, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Russians living in the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai cast their votes Sunday for a new governor in a tightly watched election, with Kozhemyako reported to be leading the vote. (Igor Novikov, Governor and Administration of Primorye Territory press service via AP)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russians living in the far eastern region of Primorsky Krai have voted for a new governor after previous election was tainted by fraud.

The result of the region’s gubernatorial election in September was annulled after a candidate representing the ruling United Russia party suddenly surged to victory in the final tallies.

Four candidates were competing Sunday. The polls are already closed and the votes were being tallied. To win, a single candidate must take at least 50 percent of the vote or face a runoff.

The local election commission has reported a 39.6 percent voter turnout — up from 29.2 percent in September.

The Kremlin-backed candidate on Sunday is acting governor Oleg Kozhemyako. The Kremlin candidate in September’s election, Andrei Tarasenko, is not running after his victory was annulled.