Voting for the presidential elections in Russia is set to occur from March 15 to 17. According to TASS, polling stations have already commenced operations in Russia’s Far Eastern regions, specifically in Kamchatka and Chukotka, the easternmost areas.
The Governor of Kamchatka, Vladimir Solodov, was the first regional leader to exercise his voting right. Citizens across Russia are participating in the election to choose their President for the upcoming six-year term. Notably, residents of Donbass and Novorossia are participating in the Russian presidential elections for the first time.
In a notable development, cutting-edge technologies previously trialed during local elections—a three-day voting period and remote voting—are being deployed for the presidential elections. The candidates vying for the top state position in the 2024 election include Vladislav Davankov, the incumbent President Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky, and Nikolay Kharitonov.
Vladislav Davankov has been nominated by the New People’s Party, while Putin is running as a self-nominated candidate. Leonid Slutsky represents the LDPR party, and Nikolay Kharitonov is in the fray from the Communist Party of Russia, according to TASS.
Initially, 33 individuals, including nine from parties and 24 independent contenders, expressed their intention to run for Russia’s top state position. However, only 15 individuals submitted the necessary documents for candidate registration. Ultimately, only four candidates were officially registered.
This election marks the first time that the presidential polls in Russia will be conducted over three days. According to Ella Pamfilova, Chair of the Russian Central Election Commission, this format has been well-received by the public as it provides more opportunities to participate in the presidential polls, as reported by TASS.
More than 94,000 polling stations will be operational in Russia from 8 am to 8 pm local time. The formal conclusion of voting will occur on March 17 at 9 pm local time when polling stations in Kaliningrad close, except for a few regions abroad.
In addition to polling stations in foreign countries and the Baikonur space center, leased by Russia from Kazakhstan, electronic voting will be available during the presidential elections. Online voting has been made accessible in 29 regions, including Moscow, with applications for online ballots accepted from January 29 to March 11, according to TASS.
Over 4.7 million people have applied for online voting. The results of the online vote will be announced on March 17 between 10 pm and 11 pm local time.
Putin has previously served four terms as Russian President, having been elected in 2000, 2004, 2012, and 2018, as reported by Al Jazeera. If re-elected, he would serve an additional six-year term due to constitutional amendments extending the presidential term, marking his fifth term. He would then be eligible for re-election in 2030 for a sixth term.