Voting has commenced in Russia’s presidential election, widely anticipated to secure Vladimir Putin another six-year term in office. Though the absence of any credible challengers virtually assures the outcome, we are currently underway with the three-day ballot period. Polling stations began operations at 08:00 local time on Friday in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, its easternmost region. They’ll conclude in Kaliningrad at 20:00 on Sunday.
Vladimir Putin, aged 71, formally announced his candidacy for a fifth presidential term at a prestigious military awards ceremony last December. Held in one of the Kremlin’s most extravagant halls, the event saw Putin honoring soldiers who had participated in Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, marking his 24-year tenure as Russia’s leader.
Engaged in conversation with a small gathering of attendees, he was approached by the commander of a pro-Russian unit in Ukraine’s occupied Donetsk region. “We need you, Russia needs you!” declared Lt-Col Artyom Zhoga, urging him to stand as a candidate in Russia’s upcoming presidential election. In unanimous support, everyone voiced their agreement. Vladimir Putin acknowledged, stating, “Now is the time for decisions. I will be a candidate for the presidency of the Russian Federation.”
His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, later characterized the decision to run as “completely spontaneous.” However, the Kremlin seldom leaves its stagecraft to chance. Instantly, its efficient media apparatus sprang into action.
In a recent broadcast on state television, a correspondent emphasized that support for President Vladimir Putin extends far beyond party lines, underscoring his status as the preferred candidate among the populace. The correspondent stated, “Vladimir Putin is the people’s candidate,” highlighting the widespread backing for the incumbent leader.
Putin’s tenure in power exceeds that of any ruler in Russia since the era of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Assuming office in 2000, he served as president with a brief interlude of four years as prime minister due to constitutional term limits.
Notably, Putin has engineered changes to the electoral rules, resetting his previous terms to zero, thereby paving the way for another potential presidential bid in 2024. This maneuver opens the possibility for him to seek an additional six-year term in 2030, coinciding with his 78th birthday.
In light of ongoing developments surrounding Russia’s electoral landscape, analysts weigh in on the orchestrated nature of the political process. Reports such as “Rosenberg: Russia’s Stage-Managed Election” and “Putin: From Russia’s KGB to a Presidency Defined by War” shed light on the intricacies of Putin’s leadership and the context within which his decisions are made.
Throughout his tenure, Putin has systematically consolidated his grip on power, neutralizing dissent and quashing opposition. Critics of his administration, once vocal, now find themselves marginalized, with many either deceased, incarcerated, or exiled.
Despite these challenges, the Kremlin remains steadfast in its efforts to maintain the appearance of legitimacy in Russia’s electoral system, underscoring its commitment to upholding democratic processes.
Amidst preparations for the upcoming presidential election, authorities emphasize the significance of a robust voter turnout, despite the widely anticipated victory of the incumbent. The turnout is poised to serve as a testament to the perceived popular mandate of the current administration.
In the preceding election of 2018, official figures reported a turnout of 68%, although international observers highlighted instances of electoral malpractice, including ballot stuffing. This year, the electoral process is streamlined for increased accessibility, with voting concluding on Sunday.
In the contested regions of Ukraine under Russian occupation, termed as “new regions” by Russian authorities, polling stations commenced operations ten days ahead of the official election day. Social media platforms have been inundated with advertisements encouraging citizens to exercise their voting rights.
Upon casting their ballots, voters will encounter a limited selection of candidates. In addition, Russia’s incumbent leader, Nikolai Kharitonov, representing the Communist Party, will feature on the ballot. Despite the fall of the Soviet Union over 30 years ago, the Communist Party has persisted as Russia’s second most popular political entity, appealing to a niche demographic nostalgic for the Soviet era.
With the Russian presidential election looming, the slate of candidates underscores a broad alignment with Kremlin policies, despite superficial differences in political stances. Leonid Slutsky of the nationalist LDPR and Vladislav Davankov of New People, nominally a liberal, pro-business party, join the incumbent on the ballot. However, none of these challengers significantly threaten the current administration’s hold on power.
Last year, local Moscow councilor Boris Nadezhdin announced his candidacy briefly ignited optimism among opposition-leaning voters. Nadezhdin, known for his appearances on state TV talk shows and criticism of Moscow’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict, garnered substantial public support. Nevertheless, Russia’s election authorities disqualified him from the race, citing flaws in over 15% of the signatures collected in his favor.
The exclusion of Nadezhdin from the electoral race extinguished hopes of an unforeseen upset. Televised debates, conducted in the lead-up to the election, proceeded without the participation of Vladimir Putin. Instead, media coverage has spotlighted Putin’s orchestrated engagements with factory workers, soldiers, and students. His state-of-the-nation address in February, widely viewed as a pre-election pitch, predominantly addressed domestic issues, including proposed social measures aimed at addressing poverty, education, infrastructure, and healthcare concerns.
Despite these proposals, Putin’s two-decade-long presidency has seen persistent challenges, including widespread corruption and underwhelming progress in addressing societal issues. Moreover, a significant portion of Russia’s budget continues to be allocated to military and national security expenditures.
As the election nears, campaign videos from lesser-known candidates have garnered attention on social media platforms, presenting near-caricature portrayals of the political landscape. Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party is depicted vehemently protesting capitalism, while Leonid Slutsky of LDPR asserts his position in the political arena, reflecting his subordinate role to Putin’s leadership.
Amidst the electoral dynamics, Yulia Navalnaya, widow of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, has initiated a campaign urging supporters to mobilize at polling stations and vote against Putin. However, Navalnaya herself has clarified that the campaign primarily serves as a means for supporters to identify one another rather than effecting substantial change.
Come March 18th, Russians are expected to witness Putin’s reelection, likely accompanied by the familiar scenes of a victory rally and expressions of gratitude to voters. Despite occasional displays of electoral fervor, the prevailing illusion of democracy appears set to persist throughout the incumbent’s next term.
