"I would like to express my great respect for the courage of the people who, despite pressure and threats, came to our country to get objective information about the elections. They are ready to observe in any region, including the DPR, LPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions," said Ella Pamfilova, chairwoman of the Central Election Commission.
Here is All You Need to Know About Presidential Election in Russia:
There are 112.3 million eligible voters inside Russia, and around 1.9 million eligible voters reside abroad.
Voter turnout is expected at 71%, as per the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM).
E-voting, a remote electronic voting system, is being used for the first time to elect a Russian president.
Voters in 29 Russian regions will be able to cast their ballots remotely.
Mobile Voter mechanism provides online voting.
Elections state automated system is information software that ensures that ballots are counted in an accurate and rapid manner.
Candidates: Who is Running for Russian President?
There are four candidates vying for the top office:
Self-nominated candidate and incumbent President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin: he has participated in four presidential elections. He specializes in law, in terms of academic degrees, Putin holds a doctorate in economics. The current head of state has not published an election program. Putin outlined his vision of the country's development for the next six years in a message to the Federal Assembly on February 29, 2024.
Communist Party nominee Nikolay Kharitonov: he was already nominated for the post of President of Russia in 2004. He specializes in agrarian studies, also holds doctorates in economics and sociology. The candidate proposes returning strategic sectors of the economy to state control, prohibit the privatization of state and municipal enterprises, and nationalize foreign assets.
Liberal Democratic Party nominee Leonid Slutsky: he is running for president for the first time. He specializes in management. In his election program, Slutsky proposes completing his campaign by organizing a large-scale offensive by the Russian Army, as well as confiscating the property of the emigrants in favor of the state.
New People party nominee Vladislav Davankov: he is the youngest presidential contender, specializes in history. In the field of foreign policy, Davankov suggests proceeding from the principle of "maximum pragmatism", achieving peace and negotiating with Ukraine on Russian terms.
Who of Russian Leadership Already Cast Their Vote?
The heads of many Russian regions, leaders of political parties, and an array of senior officials, have already cast their ballots, including:
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov;
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu;
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov;
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov;
State Duma (Russia’s Lower House) Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin.
Russian Citizens Voting in India
According to media reports, some 60 Russians have already cast their votes at a specially arranged booth in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the southern state of Kerala.
Traditional paper ballots were used, with completed ballots routed back to Moscow via diplomatic channels from Chennai.
