Russian Voting Proceeds in Election Set to Extend Putin’s Rule

On Saturday, Russian citizens cast their votes in an election that is expected to result in an additional six-year term for President Vladimir Putin. The President’s rule, which has spanned almost 25 years, has been uncontested since he effectively eliminated any strong political opponents.

The backdrop for this election is a severe crackdown undermining independent media and human rights organizations. Putin’s most outspoken critic, Alexey Navalny, passed away in an Arctic jail earlier this year in February. Other critics of Putin’s regime are either imprisoned or living in exile.

Putin, now 71, is currently running against three candidates from parties that support the Kremlin. These competitors have refrained from critiquing Putin or his actions in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year, has been portrayed by Putin as an essential struggle against Western powers, including the U.S., who he believes are intending to sabotage Russia.

Evidence of the war was clearly seen on Saturday as Ukraine launched drone and missile attacks on Russian territory. This resulted in two fatalities in Belgorod, which lies near the Ukrainian border, as reported by regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram. The area has suffered dozens of casualties since the beginning of the conflict.

Analysts predict that the Kremlin is anticipating a substantial voter turnout in these elections to serve as a public endorsement of the war and to further legitimize Putin’s rule.

The Russian defense ministry has been instrumental in driving the war effort by maintaining the production of war materials and lessening the economic impact of the war on the Russian populace. Russia’s economy has shown resistance, managing to expand despite heavy Western sanctions.

The opposition in Russia has encouraged discontented citizens to vote on the last day of the elections as a form of protest. This plan was approved by Navalny shortly before his untimely death.

In the lead up to the election, Putin has praised the achievements of Russian forces in Ukraine. However, Ukraine has retaliated by increasing attacks on Russia’s borders and executing drone strikes deep within Russian territory.

Despite strict regulations, various acts of vandalism have occurred at several polling stations. These include an incidence of firebombing, as well as instances of green liquid being poured into ballot boxes. This latter act seemingly pays tribute to Navalny, who was attacked in 2017 with green disinfectant.

Global leaders have disparaged this election, considering it a farce of democracy. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has sarcastically congratulated Putin on “his landslide victory” in an election that technically hasn’t yet concluded. He further commented on social media, “No opposition. No freedom. No choice.”

Moreover, opportunities for objective monitoring of the election are limited, with no significant international observers present. Only officially registered, Kremlin-supported candidates or state-endorsed advisory bodies are allowed to assign observers to polling stations, minimizing the chance for independent supervision.