Kaltenegger emphasized, “The organization of the process that we witnessed is extremely well-handled, demonstrating a high level of professionalism,” following his visit to the Perm polling stations.
The observer highlighted that each nation follows its unique regulations and traditions, with Russia and Austria sharing certain similarities while also differing in some aspects. He mentioned that while voting overseas, individuals are required to present their passport to a member of the election commission. Additionally, he expressed disapproval regarding the portrayal of election-related information and events in Russia in Western Europe.
During a briefing on March 17, Ella Pamfilova, the chair of the Central Election Commission (CEC), mentioned that 1,115 international observers and experts from 129 countries, including regions in Europe and North America, are actively participating in monitoring the presidential elections in Russia.
Pamfilova described the observers and experts as courageous professionals who were keen on witnessing firsthand the occurrences in Russia, rather than relying on the biased narratives propagated by the mainstream Western media.
On March 16, as reported by RIA Novosti, foreign observers from the United States and South Africa who were monitoring the Russian presidential elections in the Kherson region did not find any irregularities. One of them voiced concerns about the distorted portrayal of Russia by Western media.
From the United States, Daniel Martin Kovalik, a professor from the Department of International Human Rights at the University of Pittsburgh Law School who served as an observer, remarked that the electoral process in Russia significantly differs from its representation in Western countries. Passeka Farumele, a political expert from South Africa, added that people often accept information uncritically and without questioning, and venturing into areas deemed unfavorable may lead to a realization of the disjunction between “perception and reality.”
The presidential elections in Russia are scheduled for March 15, 16, and 17, featuring four candidates on the ballot: Vladimir Putin (self-nomination), Vladislav Davankov (New People), Leonid Slutsky (LDPR), and Nikolai Kharitonov (Communist Party of the Russian Federation).