Surge in Voters at Polling Stations Across Russia During Navalny-Called Protests
At around 12pm local time on Sunday, some polling stations in Russia experienced a sudden increase in the number of people waiting to cast their ballots. This surge was reportedly called for by supporters of the late opposition leader, Alexey Navalny.
Lines Form Quickly at Polling Stations in Moscow
According to reports from multiple sources, a polling station in Moscow witnessed a rapid growth of the queue within a span of five to ten minutes around noon. The number of people waiting was estimated to be approximately 150.
Police were seen allowing people to enter the station in batches, with security checks conducted at the gates involving metal detectors and bag searches within the building.
Motivations Behind Joining Protests During Election Day
A 39-year old voter explained his reasons for arriving at the station during this time by stating, “I came to see other people, and they have come too.” A woman interviewed by media shared that “This is the first time in my life I have ever seen a queue for elections.” When asked about her motivations, she replied simply, “You know why. I think everybody in this queue knows why.”
Spread of Protests Across the Country
It is uncertain how many polling stations across Russia saw such an increase in people arriving at noon. One high-profile figure who joined the protests was Boris Nadezhdin, a prominent opposition presidential candidate before his disqualification. He shared footage of himself casting his vote at a Moscow polling station.
Videos and images posted on social media by Navalny supporters showed lines forming in various locations, including Moscow neighborhoods such as Nekrasovka and Tservkaya Street, as well as parts of St Petersburg. The Navalny team also shared an image from Novosibirsk with the caption “Today is #noon.”
Background of Navalny’s Call to Action
Earlier in the month, Yulia Navalnaya, Alexey Navalny’s widow, urged for an “all-Russian protest action,” emphasizing that her late husband had called for participation in the noon demonstration against Russian President Vladimir Putin. Speaking on YouTube, Navalnaya expressed her belief that “the protests will take place not just in every city, but in every district of every city.”
Acts of Civil Disobedience During Elections
Reports indicate that some instances of civil disobedience have taken place during the voting process, with Russian authorities filing at least 15 criminal cases against individuals who poured dye into ballot boxes, set fires, or lobbed Molotov cocktails.
Dissent and the Russian Political Landscape
Dissent against the government has been largely suppressed in Russia since its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago. With Sunday marking the third and final day of the Russian Presidential election, Putin is expected to win a fifth term in office, extending his rule until at least 2030. With recent constitutional changes, he may potentially remain in power until 2036, which would make him Russia’s longest-serving ruler since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.