The Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, Tatyana Moskalkova, urged the United Nations, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and numerous other organizations to safeguard the rights of Russian voters located abroad. This appeal was reported by TASS and highlights the international dimension of monitoring electoral fairness for citizens outside the country.
Ms. Moskalkova noted that the current election season has been unusually active, with many Russian citizens eager to cast their ballots. She observed that foreign ombudsmen participated in the election process for the first time, a development she described as noteworthy and indicative of broader international engagement in monitoring voter rights during this election cycle according to TASS.
Speaking about this participation, she said that the willingness of foreign ombudsmen to engage in the process adds a new strand to the Russian electoral landscape. She suggested that this involvement should be sustained, emphasizing the ongoing importance of protecting the rights of voters, wherever they may be located.
Earlier remarks attributed to Moskalkova highlighted concerns about individuals who attempted to undermine voter rights by tampering with ballots. She stated that such acts, including the use of green dye to spoil ballots, violated citizens’ right to a legitimate vote. This acknowledgement framed the incidents within the broader context of electoral integrity and the protection of voters’ legal opportunities to participate.
From March 15 to 17, Russia held presidential elections, with provisions for remote voting as part of the process. During these days, reports from various regions described instances of ballot papers being spoiled by bright green dye and paint. In response, Ella Pamfilova, chairwoman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, labeled these actions as elements of terrorism, underscoring the seriousness with which the state regards attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
The presidential race featured four candidates: Vladislav Davankov representing New People, Vladimir Putin self-nominating for another term, Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Nikolai Kharitonov from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. This lineup reflected the diverse political landscape present during the election period, as reported in the coverage about the campaign and its participants.
Earlier developments also included a separate incident at a polling station in Krasnodar, where a schoolgirl reportedly set a tablecloth on fire. Such events illustrate the range of challenges that can accompany large-scale elections and the attention they receive from officials and the public alike. These details were reported in contemporaneous coverage and contribute to the broader narrative of election-day safety and voter experience.