Support The Moscow Times!

Putin Thanks Election Head for 'Most Transparent Election' in Russian History

Ella Pamfilova gives Vladimir Putin a document confirming his election as President of the Russian Federation Kremlin Press Service

Russia’s chief election official has handed Vladimir Putin a president-elect identification card after his re-election to a fourth term last month. 

After securing nearly 77 percent of the vote on March 18, Putin is expected to be inaugurated on an unspecified date in early May. Independent election observers cited voting violations, including people voting multiple times, as well as efforts by local officials to inflate the voter turnout.

“Many people have said that it was the most transparent and honest election in our country’s history,” Putin told Ella Pamfilova, the chairwoman of the Central Election Commission, according to a Kremlin transcript published Tuesday. 

Pamfilova called the election results “unprecedented,” highlighting Putin’s post-election approval rating of up to 88 percent. 

“It was the first time that we reported such a high figure, 88 percent,” she said. 

“Therefore, I really believe that the openness of our elections was unprecedented, without par in the world,” Pamfilova concluded.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more