Russians are heading to the polls today for day one of a three-day election that is all but decided before a single vote was ever cast. Vladimir Putin is expected to secure his fifth term in office. Any credible challenger has been killed, exiled, jailed, or banned. The widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny is calling for voters to turn out collectively at noon Sunday, that's the last day of voting, as a show of opposition support.
Russians can vote either for Putin or for one of three Kremlin-approved candidates. The mood in the city of Moscow today is one of subdued participation. Inside a polling station in central Moscow, voters have begun casting their ballots for one of the four candidates. However, due to the anticipated outcome of a Putin victory, there is a lack of excitement among voters. The act of voting is seen more as a duty and a display of patriotism rather than a genuine expression of choice.
The election's inevitable outcome stems from the absence of opposition candidates in the race. State television has provided extensive coverage of Vladimir Putin, while critics of the Kremlin, such as Alexei Navalny, have faced suppression through imprisonment, exile, or other means. The recent death of Navalny in custody has further intensified the repressive atmosphere in Russia.
Despite the appearance of a democratic process, the lack of genuine opposition has led to widespread skepticism regarding the election's legitimacy. It is widely believed that Vladimir Putin will emerge victorious and secure his fifth term as president, a result that many view as preordained.
