The presidential elections are underway in Russia. Voting takes place from today until Sunday.
No rival for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, who, ready to receive his fifth mandate, has launched an appeal to Russians to go and vote in the name of "patriotism" to respond to the "difficulties" of the moment. In fact, the electoral round is taking place while attacks on Russian territory are intensifying from Ukraine.
In the meantime, the Moscow prosecutor's office has warned citizens against participating in any demonstrations of dissent at the polls such as the one promoted on Sunday by Alexei Navalny's team to ask citizens to all go to the polls that day at 12 to show their opposition to the president.
Taking part in these events, the prosecutor's office warned, "is punishable by law."
A total of around 114 million Russians are expected to vote (112.3 in Russia and occupied regions, 1.9 abroad), according to data provided in February 2024 by the Russian Central Election Commission.
(Unioneonline/vl)
