Russian citizens, including tourists, residing in Kerala exercised their right to vote in Russia's presidential election at the Russian House, the Honorary Consulate of the country in Thiruvananthapuram. This marks the third occasion that the Russian House has facilitated the casting of ballots for this significant electoral event.
The voting process spans three days from Friday to March 17, covering the vast expanse of Russia's 11 time zones. Early voting commenced on March 1, encompassing even regions of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation.
The election is anticipated to reaffirm President Vladimir Putin's leadership for another six-year term, with little opposition to his candidacy.
In an interaction with the ANI news agency, Ratheesh Nair, the Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House, expressed gratitude towards Russian citizens in Kerala for their active participation in the electoral process. He underscored the significance of this engagement with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.
Echoing this sentiment, a Russian national conveyed her appreciation to the Russian House for enabling them to exercise their voting rights. She noted that the participants comprised both permanent Russian residents in India and tourists visiting the country, emphasizing the civic duty of every citizen to partake in the election.
The election in Russia occurs against the backdrop of heightened tensions, including the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the suppression of political dissent, with several opponents of President Putin incarcerated or in exile.
While three candidates stand against Putin, namely Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party, and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party, their pro-Kremlin affiliations suggest minimal opposition to Putin's incumbency.
