Russia will open about 300 polling stations abroad – Kommersant

Polling stations for voting in the Russian presidential elections will be open in all countries where there are Russian diplomatic missions, including unfriendly ones. This was stated at a briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. In total, according to her, it is planned to open about 300 plots.

“The sites will be open in all countries in which there are diplomatic missions and consular offices of our country, including unfriendly ones. We are now calculating the approximate number of sites based on the figure of 300,” Zakharova said at a briefing broadcast on Rutube.

Maria Zakharova noted that to ensure the safety of polling stations, voters themselves and members of the election commission, the Russian authorities will take all necessary measures. “We warn everyone who wants to try to disrupt this work in the form of extremism or some other illegal actions about administrative and criminal liability for attempts to disrupt the normal course of the elections,” she added.

The CEC approved recommendations for organizing voting sites for presidential elections abroad on January 24. The rules provide that there will be fewer voting stations than in 2018 (394 polling stations), and the duration of the procedure may be reduced if voting poses a threat to the life or health of Russians. According to the Central Election Commission as of July 1, 2023, based on consular registration data, there are 2 million voters outside Russia. The Russian presidential elections will be held from March 15 to 17, 2024.

Read more in the Kommersant article. “They will help everyone abroad”.

Milena Kostereva