Meeting with Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Have you finished the work?

Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova Pamfilova EllaChairperson of Central Election Comission : Yes, and I can tell you that the election campaign proceeded surprisingly calmly judging by peacetime criteria, that is, without traditional obstacles.

As for holding elections in emergency conditions, we have learned to do it. It is the Ukrainians who do not have what it takes to hold elections, even though nobody is bombing their civilian facilities or attacking civilians, which is precisely what they are doing to our civilian facilities and civilians. Nevertheless, we do not look for a pretext to put off elections but continue to improve our democratic institutions.

I would like to say that the system has accumulated substantial experience over the past few years, becoming extremely stable and yet very dynamic. Therefore, we have taken all possible security measures in light of the developments in our border regions. In other words, we have kept the system completely open and transparent while giving more attention to security measures.

With this aim in view, we have prepared alternative, emergency premises, just in case. Incidentally, we had to evacuate three polling stations in the Belgorod Region and to conduct elections at alternative premises in the Bryansk Region.

There have been false terrorist attacks, with hoax calls about mines planted at a number of polling stations in Sevastopol. We handled these situations well, thanks to proper organisation.

Overall, I am pleased to tell you that we have not received a single complaint that merits discussion at the Central Election Commission. The turnout was quite high for regional elections, five percent higher than at similar elections in 2022. In a word, 46 percent is a relatively high turnout.

It was for the first time that… You know, this election campaign largely differs from the previous ones. There are several major differences. As we promised, we have launched our digital platform, which is similar to the Vybory state automated system, a long-time system that has worked very well for 30 years. Our digital platform worked perfectly well and absolutely flawlessly without a "safety net." We take pride in this, because it is based on the domestic software and domestic technology and equipment. But the most important element of the system is that it is completely isolated from the internet and hence safely protected from DDoS attacks.

One more thing I would like to say, or rather to boast about, if I may, concerns our community, the commission and the people.

Vladimir Putin: Of course, go ahead.

To be continued.