President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Pamfilova, preparations for elections are in full swing, as I see it. How many election campaigns are being held this year? Around 2,200?
Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova: I have prepared a report for you with all the relevant statistics.
But, Mr President, I would like to begin with something else. I know how much attention you have devoted to ensuring the security of the upcoming elections and how many instructions you have issued on this matter. Later, I would like to discuss that aspect in greater detail and thank you for everything that has already been done.
Let me first share some statistics. We held the draw today. Of the 17 political parties eligible to participate in federal elections, 11 indicated their intention to do so, and all 11 have been registered. The draw took place earlier today, determining the order in which the parties will appear on the ballot. A total of 3,103 candidates have been registered.
Vladimir Putin: How did the draw turn out? Who came first, second, third?
Ella Pamfilova: Everything was conducted fairly, using a transparent lottery drum. United Russia drew the first position.
Vladimir Putin: Who drew the lot?
Ella Pamfilova: Alexander Karelin. Although, to be honest, his hand wouldn’t fit into the drum, so a young woman had to help him.
Vladimir Putin: Well, he is a champion, he is used to coming first.
Ella Pamfilova: You know, this is actually a first for United Russia. Previously, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation drew the first position twice in a row.
Among the 3,103 registered party-list candidates, roughly one-third are women and two-thirds are men. There is also a significant number of young candidates: 21 percent are under the age of 35, while about 70 percent are between 35 and 65, and nine percent are over 65. Overall, the parties’ candidate lists have become noticeably younger – I would even say substantially younger than in previous elections.
At present, 110 candidates on federal party lists are participants or veterans of the special military operation. Of those, United Russia has registered 52, Rodina has 12, the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia has 11, A Just Russia has 11, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation has nine, the Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice has seven, Communists of Russia has three, The Greens has three, New People has two, while Yabloko and the Direct Democracy Party have not nominated any. So, participants in the special military operation are well represented among the candidates, and naturally, we are paying particular attention to them.
Of course, as for security, I want to say the following, Mr President. Certainly, the main difference of this campaign from the one to elect State Duma deputies in 2021, is that we are to solve a most difficult task because we will hold the elections in an extreme situation since, I would say, we can expect now absolutely anything from the Kiev gang of child killers. We are aware of this, and we are taking unprecedented security measures. Meanwhile – and this is the difference of this campaign – we will provide for the previously achieved high level of openness and transparency; security combined nevertheless with openness and transparency. Naturally, we are taking all security measures.
Thank you for having this issue considered at the Security Council, for instructing to do it. Very much has been done for the elections to be held normally and for us to cope with all these threats.
Of course, we have prepared both alternative spaces and alternative energy sources. We had joint drills with the Emergencies Ministry and the Interior Ministry as well as other relevant agencies, we have assigned commission members responsible for security in emergency situations. We hope for the better but are getting ready for the worst. In this case, everything will be all right. We also need to have those in charge of evacuation, fire security, assistance to law enforcement officers on site for preventing provocations. Actually, we have to be ready for anything.
I think, I hope and I am even sure, given that we will do the necessary work, that we will be prepared.
Vladimir Putin: Ms Pamfilova, those who wish to participate in the democratic procedures for the formation of government do so in spite of any threats whatsoever. Those who do not wish to will inevitably find a pretext for refraining from doing so.
Ella Pamfilova: Yet they do fight, and they kill our children. That is what they capable of doing. You know, it makes one’s fists clench.
Today, both strength of will and determination are growing – not merely to withstand this evil, but to overcome it. The elections – properly conducted elections – and those who will attend… Our soldiers are fighting heroically there, fighting on our behalf. Yet, forgive me, for us here, leading peaceful lives, to unite, to go to the polls, to cast our votes and thereby make even a modest contribution to our victory – that, I believe, is nothing less than our duty.
Vladimir Putin: This demands courage and a responsible approach to the formation of government from all those involved in this process and, above all, from those who organise these elections. The unity of our society hinges upon the legitimacy of this government. And it is chiefly women who carry out this work – predominantly women, am I correct?
Ella Pamfilova: Yes, 80 percent.
Vladimir Putin: Incidentally, among the candidates – as I have observed personally and as you have just mentioned – there are not so very many women: 26 percent, whilst men account for 74 percent.
Ella Pamfilova: Even so, the process is advancing. Within our system, an ever-increasing number of women are assuming senior positions. At present, we have provided for nine forms of voting. In order to keep the public as fully informed as possible, this time – and we have 36 regions with hard-to-reach areas – we are actively seeking to employ, among other means, unmanned vehicles – both airborne and waterborne – to deliver ballots and documentation, thereby easing the burden, naturally, for our women, who reach every voter there by dog sledge and reindeer sledge.
Credit where it is due: the InformUIK project is now being implemented. You have before you the leaflets containing the appeal – they will be delivered personally to every family; our people will reach every voter, for this is a mark of respect – we value every individual, every vote.
At present, we are informing the public: a metro train has been launched, Russian Railways will have one as well, and so will the funiculars – everywhere, information will be available that the elections are under way. We are employing every method and form to inform the public. It now rests with the people, our voters – armed with this information and weighing it carefully – to come to the polls and make their choice.
Vladimir Putin: I am confident that the people understand this and will respond accordingly. Thank you.
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