"Let's Gather at the Polling Stations" Navalny Supporters Protest Amid Russian Presidential Election

"Anti-Putin Protest Planned on Last Day of Election"
Russian Authorities Issue Punishment Warning

As the Russian presidential election, which is expected to secure Vladimir Putin's fifth term, has begun, protests against him are being organized.

On the 16th (local time), major foreign media reported that associates of anti-government activist Alexei Navalny, who died in prison last month, are urging participation in protests called "Noon Against Putin."

The protest aims to express opposition to President Putin's rule and the war in Ukraine, calling for people to gather at polling stations nationwide at noon on the final day of the election, the 17th.

Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya, said in a video speech about the protest, "It is a very simple and safe action that cannot be banned." She added, "It will help millions of people meet comrades who share the same thoughts and realize that we are not alone and are surrounded by people opposing war, corruption, and illegality."

Navalny's associates appealed to Navalny supporters ahead of this election to vote for presidential candidates other than Putin or to mark more than two candidates to invalidate their ballots.

They also reported attempts to disrupt the protest. A notable example is fake emails sent to Putin's opponents, instructing them to come to polling stations at 5 p.m. instead of noon on the 17th.

The Russian independent election organization Golos (Voice) reported that officials in at least one region were instructed to report if many people gather near polling stations.

Authorities are closely monitoring these movements. On the 14th, the Russian prosecutor's office warned that holding unauthorized assemblies near polling stations is considered election interference and can result in up to five years in prison.