The Kirov monument was recognized as an "image of the deceased."

      According to the resolution of the election commission dated August 24, the campaign materials of Bikaluyka used the image (likeness) of a deceased person — S.M. Kirov:

      "The territorial election commission found that the campaign materials... used the image (likeness) of the deceased person S.M. Kirov."

      This is prohibited by paragraph 9.1-1 of Article 48 of the Federal Law "On the Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights." The commission recognized eight types of campaign materials as illegal, with a total circulation of more than 11 thousand copies: posters, banners, brochures, and city formats.

      Considering that the materials depict a monument and not a photograph of Kirov himself, the commission's decision appears controversial. A monument, by definition, is a structure, sculpture, or cultural heritage object created to preserve the memory of significant events or outstanding individuals. It is not an "image of a deceased person" in the sense implied by the law. Nevertheless, the election commission classified its use as a violation.

      A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prevent "illegal campaign activities."

      This is not the only story related to attempts to disqualify candidates in the Kirov region. According to available information, one of the deputies from another party was found to have a foreign account — presumably with a few kopecks in it.

      Recall that on August 18, we reported that the "Yabloko" party was excluded from the ballot in the State Duma elections. The Central Election Commission made this decision after the Supreme Court recognized violations in campaigning and financing from abroad.

      Also, on August 21, it became known that the candidate for the State Duma from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Nikolai Bondarenko, was found guilty under the administrative article "for demonstrating prohibited symbols, which entails a ban on participation in elections." This was reported on the official channel of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.