A roster of trusted representatives backing Vladimir Putin’s presidential bid comprises 346 individuals, among whom several well-known Russian figures are listed. This enumeration is reported by Interfax, citing the statements of Natalya Budarina, the secretary of the Central Election Commission (CEC). The commission’s role includes confirming which proxies are authorized to act on behalf of the candidate and issuing the corresponding certificates to solidify their credentials (Source: Interfax).
On December 28, the Central Election Commission issued a formal decision to register Putin’s proxies and to issue them the appropriate proof of authorization. Among the recognized trustworthy proxies are pop artist SHAMAN, whose real name is Yaroslav Dronov; actors Sergei Bezrukov and Vladimir Mashkov; ballet dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze; singer Larisa Dolina; television host Yulia Baranovskaya; rhythmic gymnastics coach Irina Viner; director Nikita Mikhalkov; and several others. These individuals are identified as reliable representatives in the ongoing electoral process (Source: Interfax).
Meanwhile, the process of preparing the proxy documentation continues, and the total number of proxies under review might reach as many as 600 people. The expansion reflects ongoing administrative work to ensure that the candidate’s formal representation is properly documented and authorized for campaign activities as required by election rules (Source: Interfax).
The presidential elections in the Russian Federation were scheduled to take place on March 15–17, 2024. In addition to the traditional in-person voting, 29 precincts planned to offer remote electronic voting. Should Putin secure victory in these elections, it would mark his fifth presidential term in the country’s history (Source: Interfax).
Earlier, the Central Election Commission registered representatives of the LDPR party for similar procedures, illustrating the broader framework by which candidates designate and certify proxies to participate in the electoral process (Source: Interfax).