Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Russians to vote on amendments to the Constitution, noting the importance of everyone's vote.
The head of state made a speech on Tuesday from the Rzhevsky district of the Tver region, where a memorial to Soviet soldiers was unveiled.
"Tomorrow, on July 1, will be the main voting day. Friends, I would like to ask you to have your say. Each vote counts and is important," Putin said.
The President reminded that voting has continued for the past few days. According to him, this step is dictated by the requirement to protect people's health. He thanked everyone who had already made their choice. Putin also recalled his position on the need to change the country's basic law.
"It [the position] is clear, immutable and absolutely firm: the updated text of the Constitution and all of the proposed amendments will only come into force if you approve and support them," he said.
Putin added that stability, security, wellbeing and a decent life for people can only be guaranteed through development. "The sovereignty of Russia depends on our responsibility and our sincere feeling of patriotism and concern for the country, as well as on respect for our history, culture, our language and traditions, and our remembrance of the achievements and accomplishments of our forefathers," he stressed.
"For the country we want to live in"
The President is sure that by voting for amendments to the Constitution, Russians are voting for the country they want to live in.
"We are not just going to vote on amendments that have been clearly formulated as legal norms. We are going to vote for the country where we want to live, with cutting-edge education and healthcare, a reliable system of social protection and an effective government accountable to the people," the head of state said. "We are going to vote for a country to the benefit of which we have been working and which we would like to pass on to our children and grandchildren," the President stressed.
"Therefore, I have no doubt that every one of us, while taking this important decision, will be thinking about their near and dear ones, as well as about the values that keep us together," the address of the President reads.
He stressed that for the people of Russia, the unifying values are " truth and justice, respect for professionals, senior citizens, families and children, their health as well as moral and spiritual education"
"These amendments to the Fundamental Law, provided you approve them, will formalise these values and principles as supreme and indisputable constitutional guarantees," Putin reminded.
The all-Russian vote on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation was scheduled for April 22, but then postponed due to the coronavirus epidemic in the country. Later, Putin signed a decree on a new voting date - July 1. Due to the need to take into account the epidemiological situation and the safety of the population, it was decided that Russians will be able to vote from June 25 to July 1.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti