A nationwide vote on constitutional reform kicked off in Russia on Thursday. The changes include a revision that would allow President Vladimir Putin to seek a fifth term.

Russians are being asked whether they are in favor of constitutional reform. The voting will continue through next Wednesday.

The draft amendments were proposed by Putin in January. They would allow him to run in another presidential election after his tenure expires in 2024.

The Putin administration held a military parade on Wednesday and called for national unity.

The coronavirus pandemic has worsened Russia's economic situation. But Putin relaxed restrictions ahead of the vote, allowing restaurants to reopen in Moscow, in an apparent effort to ease public discontent.

NHK