With less than 24 hours until Russians head to the polls, Vladimir Putin is set to secure a fifth term in office, further solidifying his grip on power for the next decade. The voting process is set to begin in the Russian far east, where the first ballots will be cast approximately four to five hours before voting commences in Moscow, highlighting the vast expanse of the country's 11 time zones.
Over two million people have already participated in early voting, including residents in remote regions such as the Russian Arctic and recently annexed areas like parts of Ukraine. The absence of significant opposition in the country has contributed to the near certainty of Putin's reelection, with dissenting voices facing suppression through imprisonment, exile, or even violence.
The political climate in Russia is further strained by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which Russia terms as a 'special military operation,' impacting both the economy and resulting in casualties on multiple fronts. Against this backdrop, millions of Russians are expected to cast their votes over the next three days, culminating in what is anticipated to be Putin's fifth term as president.
While three other candidates are technically in the running, they lack widespread recognition and pose no real challenge to Putin's dominance. Among them is a hardline communist candidate advocating for a return to Soviet-era policies, alongside several lesser-known politicians. However, none of these contenders present a viable alternative to the incumbent president.
