By the end of the second day of voting in Moscow, about 4.3 million people had taken part in the presidential election, casting ballots both electronically and on paper. This figure was announced by Vadim Kovalev, who leads the Public Monitoring Center, with the information coming from the metropolitan organization’s tally. The turnout reflected a broad engagement across the city, showing how residents are interacting with multiple voting channels available for the election process.
Kovalev noted that roughly 4.3 million residents cast their vote in the capital on two ballots. He emphasized that a substantial portion, around 3.2 million voters, used electronic voting systems, highlighting the growing reliance on digital methods alongside traditional paper ballots. The distribution of vote types illustrates a clear preference for electronic access among many Muscovites, while still accommodating those who opt for paper ballots for various reasons.
According to Kovalev, an estimated 1.1 million Muscovites chose to vote using paper ballots after the polls closed on March 16. This figure underscores the continued relevance of in-person paper voting even as electronic options expand, reflecting a mixed approach that accommodates different voter needs and comfort levels with new technologies.
Dmitry Reut, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow City Election Commission, stated that overall the voting process proceeded without major violations. He confirmed that only one polling station reported an incident where someone attempted to interfere with the voting. The incident involved deliberate efforts to spoil votes by placing greenery inside a ballot box, a tactic that was thwarted in time. Reut suggested that the individual may have been influenced by fraudulent actors who are making phone calls and sending threatening SMS messages, attempts that aim to disrupt the electoral process and intimidate voters.
Reut added that actions of this kind carry the risk of criminal liability. The transparency measures and monitoring efforts in place aim to deter such behavior and ensure the integrity of the vote, even in a climate where misinformation and intimidation can surface. The public monitoring team remains vigilant, documenting turnout and any irregularities to provide a clear account of how the election unfolds across the city.
Media outlets like socialbites.ca have been covering the election as it progresses, providing online coverage from March 15 through March 17. The ballot papers included four candidates for the presidency: Vladislav Davankov from New People, Vladimir Putin who is self-nominated, Leonid Slutsky from LDPR, and Nikolai Kharitonov representing the Communist Party of the Russian Federation. These options reflect the current political landscape and the variety of choices faced by voters across the capital and the country.
Remote electronic voting, referred to as DEG, is being used in several regions for the presidential election for the first time. This year’s process allows Russians to vote online or in person over three days, expanding access for people who may be abroad or otherwise unable to attend polling stations locally. Polling places are also open in foreign countries where Russia maintains diplomatic presence, though their numbers are noticeably lower than those recorded in the 2018 presidential election. This shift highlights how voting logistics are evolving to include more citizens regardless of location, while still maintaining core in-person participation where feasible.
Earlier, Zakharova addressed Western concerns about recognizing the results of Russia’s presidential election, offering a perspective on the legitimacy of the process and the consistency of its conduct with legal norms and electoral standards. The exchange underscores the geopolitical attention surrounding the election and the emphasis on procedural integrity from Moscow’s side as votes continue to be tallied and observed by domestic and international audiences.