Russia elections: Authorities remove Navalny's 'smart voting' app, threaten big fines

A Smart Voting application devised by jailed Russian Opposition leer Alexei Navalny has been removed from Apple and Google stores as Russians begin voting for legislative elections on Friday. polls would see more than 146 million people polling to elect members of State Duma- or lower house of parliament. Fourteen parties, including United Russia, Communist Party, Liberal Democratic Party, amongst ors, have registered as candidates; however, experts have predicted victory of Putin’s led United Russia party. 

Late on Thursday, Russian communication regulator Roskomnzor threatened ‘big fines’ on any company that “systematically violates” its demands. federal ncy also said that refusal to remove Smart Voting App would be deemed as “illegal interference in elections” and prompt criminal prosecution against company. According to BBC, t only was aforementioned application banned but Google Docs was also put down in some regions. tably, Moscow has termed app as "out of Russian law."

Putin calls for 'authoritative' parliament 

President Vlimir Putin has said that country needs a “strong authoritative” parliament so that new state Duma members act in interest of people. "We need a strong and authoritative parliament so that lawmakers of newly elected Duma act in interests of Russia and our people and work for people. So that y can be relied upon as patriots of Russia who are rey to resolutely and consistently ensure national interests in all spheres," Putin said in his dress to Russians shortly before elections, published on Kremlin website.

This comes as Moscow summoned US Ambassor John Sullivan to foreign office to discuss America’s alleged meddling in upcoming parliamentary elections. election interference, of which t many specific details were disclosed, were allegedly conducted by US tech giants. US envoy Sullivan arrived at Moscow foreign affairs buildings and left 20 minutes after talks. latter did t answer reporters about what dialogue entailed. In a press release issued on Friday, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov met with US Ambassor to Russia, George Sullivan, about “interference in internal affairs of Moscow.” 

Im: AP