Every six years Russia elects a new president and 2024 is that time.

Russians wherever they may be have the right to vote and participate in the process to select their President.

That includes those living in Jamaica. 

On Saturday (March 16), the Russian Embassy located in Norbrook, St Andrew served as the polling station here in Jamaica for all Russians wanting to vote.

Russia’s Ambassador to Jamaica, Sergey Petrovich, First Secretary Oleg Zhegl and the team at the embassy oversaw a smooth process as Russians in Jamaica, far from home filed in to take part in their country’s biggest election.

The election sees four candidates vying for the presidency. Incumbent Vladimir Putin (independent), Vladislav Davankov (New People Party), Leonid Slutsky (Liberal Democratic) and Nikolai Kharitonov (Communist Party).

According to Levada Center, a Russian polling organisation, Putin’s approval rating is 80 per cent and he is expected to be victorious.

The vote for president is a two-round affair with the winner needing to secure over 50 per cent of the total votes.  If the first round is close with no candidate getting the requisite majority, the contest enters the second round.

That is not expected to happen here with Putin being the overwhelming favourite.

This is the eighth Russian Presidential Election. 

Vladimir Putin has been leader of the Russian Federation for longer than any other since Josef Stalin. Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982) has come the closest.

Putin has been president or prime minister since 1999. He served as prime minister from 1999 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2012. He has been president from 2000 to 2008 and since 2012.

If he wins again today, he will remain as leader of his country until 2030.

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