Elections in Russia: Why bother when the winner is known?

2024-03-17 13:37:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

It is regularly said that Russia is a dictatorship in the meantime, however from March 15 to 17 the country is holding presidential elections. The result is known even before the election: The winner will be Vladimir Putin, who has been at the head of the country for the past 25 years, and will win a fifth term. At least this is how Putin would be in the Kremlin until 2030.

On Saturday, the elections in Russia were accompanied by separate protests. Protest actions are also expected on Sunday.

The only clear opposition figure, liberal politician Boris Nadeshdin, has been barred from running by Russian courts, including the Supreme Court. Nikolai Kharitonov, 75, who represents the local communist party, is running in the election. The candidate of this party usually comes second to Putin, with a large margin of defeat. Kharitonov has criticized some of Putin's domestic policies, but supports the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Vladislav Davankov is also in the race. The 40-year-old is one of the youngest candidates and has presented himself as more liberal when it comes to curbing individual freedoms in Russia. However, he has also said that he will not criticize his political opponents. According to the Reuters news agency, Kharitonov and Davankov could each receive between 4% and 5% of the total vote.

Elections in Russia: Why bother when the winner is known?

United front

But even though all Russia watchers say Putin is ahead of victory, elections in Russia must serve a purpose as well. They should help address the internal and external challenges facing the Putin regime, points out Konstantin Kalachev, a political analyst and former Kremlin adviser. Domestically, the elections allow the president's power to be legitimized and demonstrate that the Russian people are united around their leader, according to Kalachev. "And from the outside, they should show that Putin implements [foreign] policy based on the demands of the people," Kalachev told DW. "They make it clear that the president and the Russian majority are united and want to dispel any illusions in the West."

It is not easy to convince people to come out and vote in a country where the outcome of the election is known in advance. According to Meduza, an independent news portal based in Latvia, earlier this month, Russian authorities are taking steps to ensure that the presidential election appears as legitimate as possible.

The goal is an electoral participation of 80%. This is done, according to Meduza, "by mobilizing the electorate dependent on the government: public sector employees, employees of Russian state institutions and large companies, loyal to the government, as well as their relatives and friends."

Members of Putin's United Russia party are required to bring at least 10 people with them to the polling stations, Meduza reports, citing close contacts with the political party. Government and party officials can see exactly who voted, thanks to electronic voting or digital codes that identify voters.

In his address to the nation at Russia's General Assembly in late February, Putin promised Russians social improvements and reiterated his determination to continue the so-called military operation in Ukraine.

Elections in Russia: Why bother when the winner is known?

Silent protest

Although the only anti-Putin candidate, Nadezhdin, was barred from participating in the election, there is a possibility of a protest vote. Many Russian dissidents have left the country, but they are calling on their supporters to be active during the elections.

The widow of recently deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Julia Navalnaya, called on supporters to turn out en masse at the polling stations at noon on Sunday, March 17, to honor her late husband, Navalny. "You can tear up the ballot, you can write 'Navalny' in big letters on it," Yulia Navalnaya said in a YouTube video. "Even if you don't see any sense in voting, just go stand at the polling station and then go home," she suggested, adding that people could vote for "anyone but Putin."

Elections in Russia: Why bother when the winner is known?

Large crowds at polling stations won't change the final result, but they could put a dent in the image that Russians overwhelmingly support Putin, said Nikolay Petrov, a researcher at the Eastern Europe and Eurasia think tank. in the German Foundation, Science and Politics. "It is a mistake to think that it is easier for authoritarian regimes to have elections than for democracies," argues Petrov. "It is very important for Putin to show his political elite that he is supported by the vast majority of Russians. That is why the Kremlin wants to demonstrate very good results and also avoid any scandals"./ DW