Putin Grants Belarusians Living in Russia Right to Vote

Belarusians permanently living in Russia can also stand in local elections.

A man casts his ballot in Russia's presidential election at a polling station in Moscow on March 17, 2024. Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images

Russia ratified a protocol on July 23 that gives Belarusians permanently living in Russia the right to vote, according to Russian state-owned media outlet Arguments and Facts.

The protocol was signed in Moscow by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in March, was approved by the Russian parliament on July 15, and became law on July 23.