Putin took part in the election through self-nomination. Answering the question of what result he will consider successful, Putin said, “Any that gives the right to serve as president.”
The first polls opened in Russia’s Far East at 20:00 GMT on Saturday, March 17, and the last polls in the Kaliningrad exclave will close at 18:00 GMT on Sunday, March 18.
The first round of the 2018 Russian presidential election will be contested by a total of eight candidates on March 18. Should no candidate reach a majority, a second round will take place three weeks later scheduled for April 8.
During the presidential elections, over 1,000 international observers will work in Russia, according to Chairperson of the CEC of Russia Ella Pamfilova.
