Ella Pamfilova, head of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, announced that voter participation in the presidential elections reached 74.22 percent as of 18:00 Moscow time. The update was reported by TASS, the national news agency, and reflected a moment of ongoing tallies as polling continued in several regions.
According to officials, the turnout stood at 74.22 percent at 18:00 on March 17, 2024, with Pamfilova describing the figure as preliminary. She noted that this snapshot represented a provisional stage in the ongoing process of vote counting and center-wide organization, emphasizing the importance of orderly administration at every level of the election apparatus.
Pamfilova also expressed gratitude to all members of election commissions across the country for their efforts in facilitating the presidential election. Her remarks highlighted the extensive coordination required to manage polling places, recruit and train precinct officials, and ensure the smooth operation of voting centers from morning through the evening hours.
In related developments, officials reported that voting centers operating in regions aligned with Moscow time had closed for the day. Across the Northwestern, Central, Volga, Southern, and North Caucasian federal districts, voting concluded in the evening, with polling officials confirming that the nationwide in-person turnout had reached 73.33 percent by 20:00 Moscow time. The figures reflect the collective result of successful on-site participation and the closing of polling stations in multiple districts as documented by the Central Election Commission.
Earlier in the day, the commission had addressed external threats associated with the election process, including cyberattacks. The Commission of the Russian Federation reported that cybersecurity evaluations were underway to assess the impact of potential DDoS attempts and to ensure the integrity of the electoral infrastructure. These assessments were part of ongoing security measures designed to safeguard the election environment and to maintain public confidence in the voting process.
Observers and analysts noted that turnout dynamics varied by region, with some districts reporting higher concentrations of voters early in the day, while others showed increased activity during late afternoon and early evening hours. The central administration underscored the role of local election officials in maintaining continuity of service, especially in remote or densely populated areas where logistics can pose additional challenges. The overall progress of the election, as reported, demonstrated a broad commitment to the democratic process and to the regulatory framework that governs national elections.
As the central authorities continued to monitor ballot processing, the public was reminded that official turnout statistics would be refined as more precinct-level data was compiled. Analysts stressed that preliminary figures always undergo verification and may be adjusted after comprehensive review of district tallies. The emphasis remained on transparency, accuracy, and adherence to established procedures that ensure every valid vote is counted accurately within the constitutional framework governing presidential elections in the country.
In sum, the day featured a coordinated effort across election commissions, late-day updates on participation, and ongoing security measures intended to protect the electoral process. The ultimate turnout figure, though reported as preliminary during the day, reflected a significant proportion of eligible voters participating in a widely observed nationwide event. Officials cautioned that final results would be released following the formal certification process, which includes cross-checks, reconciliations, and the publication of finalized statistics in coordination with regional election authorities.