In Photos: Russia's Remote Regions Cast Early Votes in Parliamentary Election
Russia is gearing up for elections to the State Duma and regional and local legislatures on Sept. 19. Because voters in remote parts of the country are unable to make it to a polling center on election day, the government launched early voting on Aug. 29 to bring the ballot directly to them.
One such area where early voting is taking place is the Taimyr peninsula, a remote region roughly the size of Iraq located 3,000 kilometers northeast of Moscow. There are no major cities in Taimyr; its population largely consists of some 5,000 nomadic reindeer herders and villagers.
In these far-flung parts of the world's largest country, the actual vote casting is the easy part: It’s getting to the voters themselves that's a challenge.
One such area where early voting is taking place is the Taimyr peninsula, a remote region roughly the size of Iraq located 3,000 kilometers northeast of Moscow. There are no major cities in Taimyr; its population largely consists of some 5,000 nomadic reindeer herders and villagers.
In these far-flung parts of the world's largest country, the actual vote casting is the easy part: It’s getting to the voters themselves that's a challenge.
Election workers are tasked with visiting all remote dwellings in the two weeks leading up to election day on Sept. 19.
Alexei Andronov / TASS
Polling workers are also required to wear face masks and gloves and bring sanitizers with them due to Covid-19.
Alexei Andronov / TASS
Sometimes, election workers have to visit remote dwellings inhabited by as few as 2-3 people.
Alexei Andronov / TASS
Some locals said they didn’t have the opportunity to learn about the candidates ahead of time due to a lack of political campaigning and means of receiving information.
Alexei Andronov / TASS
Staffers bring everything necessary for voting: pens, ballots, the ballot box, a table and some drapes to give voters privacy while making their choice.
Alexei Andronov / TASS
Because reindeer herders have to stay with their animals, they are unable to travel to a polling station themselves, which often involves navigating a difficult landscape that lacks roads.
Denis Kozhevnikov / TASS
The Taimyr peninsula is largely covered by lakes and permafrost. Election workers often have to travel by helicopter or boat to remote locations across the peninsula.
Denis Kozhevnikov / TASS
The ballot boxes will remain sealed until the rest of the country finishes voting on Sept. 19.
Denis Kozhevnikov / TASS
