Kochi: Russian nationals, including tourists, residing in Kerala participated in Russia's presidential election at a designated booth located in the Russian House, the country's Honorary Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. This marks the third occasion that the Russian House has served as a polling station for this purpose.

The majority of votes in the Russian presidential election are expected to be cast over a three-day period from Friday to March 17, covering the vast expanse of the country's 11 time zones. Early voting commenced on March 1, encompassing regions of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation. The election is widely anticipated to secure Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued tenure for another six years, with minimal opposition challenging his bid for a fifth term.

Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia and Director of the Russian House, expressed gratitude to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation for their collaboration. He stated, "This initiative caters to Russian nationals residing in Kerala as well as tourists. We are pleased to facilitate their participation in the electoral process." Nair further extended appreciation to the Russian citizens in Kerala for their enthusiastic engagement in the voting process, emphasizing the importance of their contribution to electing a new president.

One Russian national conveyed her gratitude to the Russian House for enabling them to exercise their voting rights in their homeland's election. She noted that all individuals who visited the polling booth were either permanent Russian residents in India or tourists visiting the country. She emphasized the civic duty of every citizen to actively participate in the electoral process, underscoring the significance of voting.

Against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the suppression of political dissent, the election features three candidates standing against President Putin: Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party, and Nikolay Kharitonov of the Communist Party. However, they are widely regarded as pro-Kremlin candidates, posing minimal opposition to Putin's candidacy.

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