Russian election authority certifies results of constitutional vote

The Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) on Friday officially confirmed the results of a referendum on 206 constitutional amendments.

The turnout rate in the referendum held between June 25 and July 1 was 67.97 percent, meaning that over 74 million people cast their ballots, said CEC head Ella Pamfilovad.

Of the voters, 77.92 percent or almost 58 million people voted for the adoption of the amendments, while 21.27 percent or nearly 16 million people voted against it, she added.