Ella Pamfilova, head of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, described attempts to spoil ballot papers during the presidential voting as a sign of growing despair. She conveyed this assessment on the state broadcaster Russia 1, offering a view that echoes concerns about how intraparty emotions may influence the voting process.
She explained that such actions reflect a sense of desperation among some actors, highlighting that their resources, organizational strength, and public support appear insufficient. Pamfilova emphasized that even in a political environment characterized by intense competition, resorting to vandalism undermines the legitimacy of elections and distracts from the broader democratic task of ensuring free, fair, and transparent voting. The remarks were shared in the context of ongoing coverage on national media.
According to Pamfilova, more than 12 million DDoS attacks targeted the resources of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. She noted that since the voting began, technical teams have mitigated over 420 thousand attempts aimed at remote electronic voting systems. The head of the CEC stressed that while several platforms faced coordinated intrusions, the most direct impact was felt on the official voting portal, which experienced heightened pressure as ballots were cast online.
From March 15 through March 17, voting proceeded across Russia, including remote participation. During these days there were reported incidents in various regions where individuals attempted to spoil ballots by introducing green dye into ballot boxes. Pamfilova condemned these acts as deliberate disruptions, calling them terrorist in intent and harmful to the integrity of the electoral process. Observers and election watchdogs noted the physical and procedural challenges posed by such interference and called for calm adherence to established voting procedures to preserve trust in the outcome.
In related political commentary, comments from Kremlin press representatives about the presidential results have underscored the official stance on the electoral process and the way success is framed within the campaign. The discussion has touched on how authorities communicate outcomes, respond to irregularities, and reinforce public confidence in the electoral system as a whole. Analysts point to the importance of transparent reporting, robust cybersecurity measures, and consistent, non-disruptive oversight to maintain credibility in future elections with both domestic and international observers watching closely.