Voting for the presidential election begins in Russia on Friday (March 15). The current president of the country, Vladimir Putin, has called on all voters to vote in the election. In his address to the nation on Thursday (March 14), the Russian President asked all voters of Russia, including the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, to participate in determining the country’s future through voting. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Addressing the nation in a video message, Putin said, ‘It is now essential for us to move forward together in unity and solidarity. Every vote you cast is valuable. I urge you to exercise your right to vote in the next three days.
Voting in this three-day election will continue till Sunday. 71-year-old Putin has been in power in Russia as president or prime minister since 2000. Analysts believe that he will win this election as well. Apart from him, three other candidates are contesting in the election. None of them criticized Putin, though.
Several opinion polls show that Putin enjoys the support of a majority of Russian citizens. A poll last month put Putin at 75 percent.
Two candidates who wanted to run in this election promising to end the war in Ukraine have been disqualified. Russia called the war in Ukraine a ‘special military operation’.
In the video message, Putin said, ‘All voters want to see a strong, prosperous and independent Russia to improve living standards. And that is possible only through voting.’
