Three days of voting in Moscow for the position of mayor and for TiNAO municipal deputies have concluded. The update comes from the Online Public Headquarters that monitors elections in Moscow, which reported the close of the three-day polling period.
Officials from the Moscow City Election Commission disclosed that almost 3.3 million residents took part in the mayoral race and the TiNAO municipal deputy elections. The figure reflects a broad level of engagement across the city and its affiliated districts, illustrating a strong turnouts during the voting window.
Vadim Kovalev, who heads the Headquarters for Election Observation in Moscow, stated that ballots cast online via electronic voting are safeguarded by contemporary technology. He noted that the online voting option has grown in popularity because it is convenient and has been integrated into Moscow’s electoral processes for four years, becoming a standard method for eligible voters.
In Kovalev’s remarks, he also outlined the procedural timeline for the online voting decryption key. At 20.15, the decryption key will be connected at the Moscow City Election Commission, after which the counting of votes commences. Those who chose electronic voting at the terminals have their ballots instantly recorded on the blockchain, ensuring that online votes are counted in tandem with paper ballots as part of the unified tallies.
Beyond the digital sphere, the counting of paper ballots at polling centers has already begun. The election commissions first verify the number of issued paper ballots, cancel any unused ones, and complete the necessary preparatory steps. Subsequently, PEC members proceed with the manual counting of the paper ballots, ensuring a transparent cross-check against digital tallies.
Observer activity was robust across the three election days, with more than 11,000 observers monitoring the process. The monitoring network also extended to the headquarters’ video center, providing real-time oversight and recording for verification. Kovalev emphasized that the entire electoral process progressed smoothly both at polling sites and in the digital environment, reflecting a strong adherence to established procedures and safeguards.
According to Kovalev, the central monitoring team did not report any communications issues to the Moscow City Election Commission during the voting period. He added that while the central headquarters remains actively engaged until final results are published, there is a continuous focus on confirming every stage of the tally and addressing any arising questions as soon as they appear.
For context, the election cycle covered the Mayor of Moscow race and the deputies representing 13 municipalities linked to TiNAO. The voting window spanned three days, from September 8 to September 10. Voters were given the option to participate either online or by visiting designated polling locations, providing flexibility for residents across the capital region.
Throughout the electoral event, the interplay between online and offline casting methods showcased the city’s commitment to accessible participation while maintaining rigorous verification protocols. The use of secure blockchain entries for online votes and the parallel counting of paper ballots illustrate a dual approach designed to bolster trust and accuracy in the final results. This approach also highlights the ongoing modernization of election infrastructure in Moscow, reflecting long-term efforts to enhance transparency and efficiency in civic processes.
With the conclusion of the three-day voting period and the initiation of the decryption and tally procedures, observers and officials alike are preparing for the formal certification of results. The process underscores the essential balance between voter convenience, robust security, and meticulous verification, all aimed at delivering credible outcomes for residents of Moscow and the TiNAO districts they elect to represent.