Voting hours for presidential elections abroad can vary by country, according to a statement from Pavel Andreev, a member of Russia’s Central Election Commission (CEC), reported at a commission meeting by RIA News.
Andreev explained that the start and end times of voting, along with the overall duration, may be adjusted by the decision of the head of the diplomatic mission or consular office. This means that Russia’s overseas polls are not strictly fixed; rather, they can adapt to local conditions and logistical realities to ensure the process remains functional and accessible for voters abroad.
He stressed that such changes could occur if the vote presents risks to the life or health of Russian citizens living overseas. In those circumstances, authorities would take decisive steps to protect voters while maintaining the integrity of the election process. Andreev noted that the decision would be promptly communicated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission, and the GEM for elections abroad, ensuring coordination across government bodies.
According to him, in some instances, local authorities in foreign countries may not confirm that the required security conditions for polling places and voters have been met. He also mentioned that the distribution methods of ballot papers, as well as the use of special signs and stamps, can become more complicated under certain conditions, which could necessitate adjustments to polling procedures.
On 13 January, Andreev reported that the Central Election Commission of Russia would not invite representatives from unfriendly countries to the upcoming presidential elections. He clarified that this stance would apply to those nations that do not maintain constructive diplomatic relations with Russia, aligning with the commission’s assessment of security and governance considerations surrounding the voting process abroad.
Earlier, the CEC responded to statements by U.S. political analysts regarding the elections in Russia, reaffirming its position and emphasizing the framework guiding how abroad voting is organized and overseen by Russian authorities.