Putin votes in Russia’s regional elections

Moscow, Sep 10 (EFE).- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday cast his vote electronically in the municipal and regional elections that will be held from Sep 9-18 amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“September 11 is the Single voting day in Russia. But it is also possible to cast a vote in advance and remotely, which is exactly what I did now. It is a very convenient, reliable form of vote. To those who can and want to use it – I recommend (it),” the Russian leader said in a video released by the Kremlin showing him voting on a computer in his office.

The Russian president hoped that the Russian people would “display an active position” and vote, state news agency Tass reported.

This is the second time that Putin has voted online. He did so in 2021 when he went into isolation after several members of his entourage tested positive for Covid-19.

Municipal and regional elections kicked off in Russia on Friday with the opening of more than 38,000 polling stations.

Over 44 million Russians will vote to elect over 31,000 lawmakers and officials in 82 regions across the country, including 14 governors, according to the electoral authorities.

Although the head of Russia’s Central Election Commission of Russia, Ella Pamfilova, described the electoral campaign as “quite competitive, energetic and lively”, opposition candidates have denounced that they were removed from the campaign under various pretexts.

Unlike previous years, there has hardly been any electoral propaganda or demonstrations ahead of the elections.

Elections will be held in 125 of the 146 municipalities of Moscow to elect 1,417 municipal lawmakers from a pool of over 5,700 candidates. EFE

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