Putin opts for online voting amid tumultuous Russian elections
In Russia, three-day presidential elections are underway. More than 113 million ballots have already been distributed to around 94,000 polling stations across the country, amidst numerous incidents. The nation also eagerly anticipated their current leader, Vladimir Putin's voting method. To everyone's surprise, he opted for a different approach.
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Many reports from Russian media or government sources are considered to be propaganda, playing a role in the informational war led by the Russian Federation.
From early on, Russian propaganda heightened anticipation concerning when and at which polling station Putin would cast his vote in the presidential election. His spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, began the day with promises, stating that "as soon as he has such information, it will be immediately shared with the public".
Dozens of incidents during the elections
Putin chose not to vote in person among the general populace. This decision was likely influenced by the numerous unsettling events reported at electoral commissions. Ballot boxes have been widely targeted, being set on fire and doused with paint. These incidents have been documented in both small towns and in Russia's major cities like Moscow. In Saint Petersburg, a ballot station was disrupted when a woman threw a Molotov cocktail inside.
Unexpectedly, after 4 PM GMT, the Kremlin's website posted a video captioned: "Vladimir Putin voted online in the Russian presidential elections."
In the meticulously prepared footage, Putin is seen entering his office, taking a seat at his desk. He takes hold of a mouse and, after several clicks, submits his vote. As he finishes, he waves towards the camera. A message then appears on the screen: "Thank you, you have successfully voted".
The TASS agency highlighted that Putin has previously utilised this method of voting, for instance in the State Duma deputy elections but this marked his first time doing so in a presidential election.
Voting under duress
For the first time in history, voting in Russia is extended over three days. It is also being conducted in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, often under the threat of armed force. The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, mockingly "congratulated" the dictator on a "landslide victory", emphasizing that the Russian electoral process is happening "without opposition, without freedom, and without choice".
