Russian Presidential Election Conducted In Kerala For Citizens Residing In The State (Image: X/@KremlinRussia_E)As Russia began the three-day voting for the presidential election today, the county’s citizens including those settled in Kerala and the tourists, cast their votes at the consulate of the Russian Federation, in the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram.
The Eighth Russian presidential election, which started today and will end on March 17 is likely to re-elect the president Vladimir Putin for another six-year term. Russian voters, mainly the residents of Ernakulam, Varkala and Kovalam, reached the capital city to cast their votes in their country’s election.
Across the country, officials has facilitated Russian voters to participate in its electoral exercise by arranging polling booths for the Russian citizens to cast votes. Around 60 Russians from Kerala cast their vote today and the voting was conducted through traditional paper ballots.
Other places where the polling arrangements were set for the presidential election include the Russian Embassy in Delhi and consulates in cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Calcutta, Goa and Koodamkulam.
According to the officials, this is not the first time Russians cast votes in India. Polling had been conducted earlier too for the Russian presidential and parliamentary elections. This time the number of voters surpassed expectations, The New Indian Express reported quoting Ratheesh C Nair, honorary consul of Russia.
Olga, who settled in Kerala, said that the election was so special to her, adding that she believes the incumbent president Vladimir Putin will retain the position.
As the three-day election ends on March 17, the counting of the same will take place by then. Though the victory of Mr Putin is predicted, a total of four candidates are vying for the presidency. Russia’s president Putin became the fourth president in 2012. Re-elected in 2018, he is currently racing for another six-year presidency term. If Putin secures victory, with his next six-year term, he will become the longest-serving head of the country since Joseph Stalin.