Online Independent public monitoring reported that residents from 42 constituent entities of the Russian Federation took part in the early voting for the presidential election. The report notes that voting is scheduled from February 25 to March 14 and includes voting in hard to reach areas and on ships that will sail on election day.
Alexander Brod, a member of the Human Rights Council and head of the NOM association which oversees the organization of early voting in remote parts of Yamal, indicated that 64 regional commissions operate within the region.
Brod explained that there was no comment on the sealing of portable ballot boxes. He also stated that preparations included a table screen and a booklet with essential information about the candidates to safeguard the secrecy of the ballot.
Brod noted that local communities responded positively to the election commission’s outreach, adding that the region had ensured all necessary conditions for the secret expression of voters’ will.
Residents in remote areas of Yakutia, the Irkutsk region, and Buryatia were also given the chance to participate in early voting. In addition, residents from remote parts of the Gulf of Finland will have the opportunity to vote early from March 4 to 7. New residents in these areas will also be able to cast early ballots.
The human rights advocate emphasized that the election system in Russia upholds the principle that every vote matters by providing early voting for those living in remote and hard to reach areas.
Additionally, Russian citizens abroad will be able to vote early starting March 1. It is reported that 67 facilities in 45 countries will operate to support these efforts, enabling citizens living abroad to participate in the process.