Statement of the Sociological Association of Ukraine on the “elections” of the President of the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories

The holding by the Russian Federation of elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (in particular districts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea) is one of the main instruments for legitimising the occupation authorities. It is precisely to this end that preparations are being made to hold “elections” of the President of the Russian Federation in these territories from 15 to 17 March 2024.

Ukraine, together with most of the world's countries and international organisations, in particular the UN and the OSCE, does not recognise and condemns the Russian elections in all the Ukrainian territories occupied by the Russian Federation.

The Sociological Association of Ukraine calls on all representatives of Ukrainian and international survey centres, groups and companies to refrain from taking part in activities within the Russian Federation's election campaign being conducted in the occupied territories, and from covering its course and the election results.

The Association calls on Ukrainians and, in particular, on professional sociologists who are compelled to remain in the occupied territory of Ukraine, to avoid taking part in the electoral process, in surveys, exit polls and other public and non-public activities that legitimise the occupation authorities.

The Association recalls that voluntary participation in organising and holding unlawful elections or referendums, or public calls to hold them, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine carries criminal liability (Article 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

The Board of the Sociological Association of Ukraine

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