Calls to vote

Team publishes last message from Navalny

(Bild: APA/AFP/TATYANA MAKEYEVA)

His team has posthumously published a message from Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. In the last few days before his death, he had prepared a contribution for the upcoming election. He had a cell phone app developed for undecided voters that would randomly create a name next to which they could place their cross.

It has been almost a month since Navalny mysteriously died in the Siberian prison camp "Polar Wolf". But the opposition figure still has one last message for his supporters. He did not want to leave the presidential election, which runs from Friday to Sunday, uncommented. 

Navalny's last message is published in this video: 

App generates new presidential candidate
After six opposing candidates to incumbent ruler Vladimir Putin were disallowed by the election commission on questionable grounds, there is little choice on the ballot paper in the world's largest country by area. Shortly before his death, Navalny had an idea on how to remedy this problem. He developed the "Foton" app, which spits out a name at the touch of a button. 

Navalny: "Don't have the problem - can't vote"
"Depending on your world view, you can assume that God, nature, chaos, the cosmos, chance or the mother walrus has made the decision for you," said Navalny about the app. In his usual sarcastic manner, he also stated: "You are suffering and I am fine. I don't have this problem. Prisoners are not allowed to vote."

Yulia Navalny with her husband as he recovered after a poison attack in Berlin.

(Bild: AFP)

Navalny's fellow campaigner also suggested a specific date for the ballot. Putin's opponents should arrive at the polling stations at 12 noon on Sunday, the main day of the election. "We must use election day to show that we are here and that there are many of us," explained Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya. This subtle protest could be used to express rejection of the despot.

Navalny's close confidant Leonid Volkov, who was recently attacked with a hammer in front of his home, said that at least two names, but preferably all four candidates, should be marked with a tick on the ballot papers. This would invalidate the ballot paper. 

Leonid Volkov

(Bild: AP)

Volkov explained that many people would feel anger, resentment and powerlessness after Navalny's death. Elections cannot bring about a change of power in Russia because the results are manipulated. The only thing that can be done is to put the power apparatus under stress.