Over three million voters in the Russian Federation submitted applications to participate in remote electronic voting for the presidential election, according to information published by the Ministry of Digital Development. This figure underscores the growing interest in digital participation in national elections and highlights the importance of accessible voting channels for residents across regions.
The deadline for submitting applications to participate in the remote voting process is March 11 at 23:59 Moscow time. Prospective voters are reminded to complete the registration within the allotted timeframe to ensure their eligibility and to avoid last minute difficulties with the system.
The ministry noted that more than three million people have already used this public service, illustrating a substantial uptake in remote voting options since the service opened. This level of participation signals a broad engagement with digital civic processes among the citizenry and reflects confidence in the integrity and convenience of the remote voting platform.
Residents in 28 Russian regions will have access to the remote voting service. In the capital city, Muscovites will be able to cast their votes for the presidential candidate via the regional portal, widening the reach of the election process beyond traditional polling locations and into the digital space.
According to the Ministry of Digital Development, the regions showing the highest activity in remote voting applications are the Moscow region, Rostov region, Sverdlovsk region, the Altai Territory, and the Chuvash Republic. This concentration of activity points to a mix of urban centers and regional hubs embracing online participation as part of the electoral routine for the 2024 cycle.
Voting on the DEG platform will run from 08:00 on March 15 until 20:00 on March 17, with local time used in each region. The structured window provides voters with a clearly defined period to participate, ensuring a synchronized process across the federation while respecting regional time differences.
For the first time since 2008, four candidates are contesting the presidency in this election cycle: Vladislav Davankov representing the New People party, Vladimir Putin presenting his own nomination, Leonid Slutsky affiliated with the LDPR party, and Nikolai Kharitonov representing the Russian Communist Party Federation. The presence of four candidates expands the field beyond a two horse race, inviting more diverse voter choice and political dialogue across the country.
Should Vladimir Putin secure victory, he would serve a fifth term as president, a development that would shape the political landscape and stoke discussions about leadership continuity, policy direction, and national priorities for the coming years. The outcome remains a central topic of national discourse as voters weigh the options before the polls close.
Ella Pamfilova, formerly head of the Central Election Commission, spoke about attempts to discredit the presidential election by alleging involvement of foreign actors. Her remarks emphasize the ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and trust in the electoral process, and to address misinformation that can influence public perception during the campaign period.