Russia says presidential vote to take place over three days

Russia announces 3-day voting for March pres. election. Kremlin critics say it makes transparency more difficult. Putin expected to run again, decision to be made when "appropriate". Kremlin says "lots of people" urging Putin to run, press conference on Dec 14.

Russia announced on Friday that the presidential election in March will be held over three days, a recent voting procedure that Kremlin critics have said makes guaranteeing transparency more difficult.

Moscow this week set March 17 as the date for a presidential election which is expected to be another shoo-in for Vladimir Putin, who has silenced opposition during over two decades in power.

"The CEC (Central Election Commission) of the Russian Federation has approved a three-day voting period for the Russian presidential election. It will be held from March 15 to 17, 2024," the commission said.

Ballot monitors and the opposition in Russia say elections are marred by pervasive reports of irregularities and that independent candidates are sidelined by the Kremlin.

Russia first introduced multiple-day voting in 2020, ostensibly as part of measures to protect voters against coronavirus but the system came under fire from the political opposition.

It was rolled out during a five-day referendum on constitutional changes that extended presidential term limits, allowing Mr. Putin to conceivably remain in power until 2036.

The Kremlin said on Friday that “lots of people” were urging President Vladimir Putin to run for a new six-year term in March, and that Putin would announce his decision “when he deems it appropriate”.