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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Ms Pamfilova, how would you evaluate the work carried out on the Single Voting Day, September 8?

Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova: Mr President, this year has been quite extraordinary and challenging, filled with numerous events, particularly in the electoral sphere. We had two major campaigns: the unprecedented presidential election and the current one. If you don’t mind, I would like to briefly summarise.

First and foremost, I would like to highlight that both elections were conducted with exceptional success. This is largely due to the unprecedentedly well-coordinated efforts of all parties involved and all departments. We had excellent and timely cooperation with law enforcement agencies, legislative bodies, the Government, and the regional authorities. This seamless collaboration played a key role in ensuring the success of the process.

But most importantly, it was dedication and awareness of our people, their understanding of just how crucial these elections were, that truly made the difference.

There was a moment, even on the eve of the presidential election, when some questioned whether elections should be held at all under such challenging circumstances. Some argued, “Why hold elections now? The authorities could easily postpone them, and it would be simpler to work.” This was especially the case when I spoke with people in the most difficult regions. However, it became clear that, on the contrary, in times when a country is facing many challenges and we are overcoming them together, elections are crucial. People want to see a responsible, predictable, and reliable government at every level. This is why our voter turnout was record high in both elections. In tough times, stable governance becomes even more essential.

Vladimir Putin: For the authorities at every level, this is crucial as well – to have a foundation built on the trust, support, and confidence of the people.

Ella Pamfilova: On the other hand, this is a deliberate and conscious decision. Unlike some others, where people are used and then discarded – examples are not hard to find. Here, however, the authorities fully understand the immense responsibility they carry towards the people.

I must also take a moment to express my gratitude to my colleagues. This is, after all, a workforce of nearly a million. We approached this election cycle with a very high level of preparedness, fully mobilised and ready to perform at our best.

What truly permeated the entire system? Of course, the technology, the organisation, everything was great. But the most important element was the atmosphere, the emotional intensity. Every single one of us was deeply aware that we couldn’t just go about things as usual. Knowing that our soldiers – many of whom are our colleagues from the election commissions, now serving on the front lines – are out there fighting for the country, so that we can live our lives, and even hold elections, created a powerful sense of responsibility. This awareness coursed through all of us, like a live wire touching our hearts and souls. That mindset that we are the rear, and therefore must do our absolute best, guided our entire community and all the commissions as we approached these elections.

Here’s what I would like to highlight: by 2024, the system has become both remarkably stable and reliable while also maintaining a high level of dynamism. This combination has enabled us to swiftly and effectively address all the complex challenges that arose, working collaboratively to stay ahead of the curve and prevent potential conflicts.

There are several features that connect these two campaigns, as well as differences between them.

First and foremost, we achieved record-high turnout in both the presidential and regional elections. Notably, this was the highest participation ever recorded in regional elections since the introduction of the Single Voting Day. The strong results are indisputable in their legitimacy, and the high level of public trust in the election outcomes is crucial. Over the years, this trust has remained consistently high, which is incredibly important.

Another notable aspect is that security was a top priority in both campaigns. During the presidential campaign, our primary focus was on our reunited regions. However, since those regions did not participate in the Single Voting Day, our attention shifted to the border areas, particularly the Kursk Region, which holds a special place in our hearts due to recent events. The challenges faced by our border regions and their heroic citizens have kept security at the forefront of our concerns throughout the year.

It has been quite challenging to address the need for heightened security while also ensuring that everyone’s voting rights are upheld, allowing people to cast their ballots freely.

I can say now that we managed to reach this optimal balance between security and rights.

I want to thank you not only on my own behalf, but also on behalf of all my colleagues; people are very grateful to you for establishing the title Honoured Worker of the Electoral System. It's very important for the people, they really deserve it. You know that.

Vladimir Putin: Great work.

Ella Pamfilova: Great. Actually, heroic work.

Vladimir Putin: Has the Central Election Commission membership been renewed by 50 percent?

Ella Pamfilova: It was renewed a great deal. You know that the system-wide work over the years has resulted in the influx of young people. Young people are getting more and more involved in the process. The commissions are being renewed. This is an optimal combination of experience and young people.

A very important specific feature of this year is that at this election, on the Single Voting Day, we said goodbye to our honoured State Automated System Elections. It had worked for more than 20 years, smoothly and flawlessly. We said goodbye to it. From January 1, 2025, we will fully switch to its digital version, the new digital platform – State Automated System Elections 2.0.

I will say a little bit about the Remote Electronic Voting system. We are indeed continuing to expand the geography of this additional type of voting within the digital platform. It is becoming more and more popular, judging by the polls. Already many regions want to have it as well. So far, 37 regions have already tried it, and some of them not for the first time. The people liked the fact that they had the right to choose. Today they are happy to go to the polling station, and tomorrow they do not have such an opportunity and can vote remotely. This is the right to choose depending on the situation. This is a voluntary process, and we will create all conditions for that. Twenty-one million people have already experienced what it’s like.

You know, what is really surprising? I want to give interesting statistics. Based on the results of those campaigns, we have analysed who preferred the Remote Electronic Voting and found out an amazing thing: a complete defeat of men – 66 percent of women. Can you imagine? It is surprising. Men account for 34 percent. Most active by age: 44 percent, almost a half, are from 36 to 50 years, and the groups from 18 to 35 years and 50 plus are almost of the same size – 27–29 percent. Now we are trying to look at all the aspects to move further.

I want to note that at this election, we took full advantage of the innovations we constantly introduced all these years very intensively. And it turned out that it just helped us to avoid failures in such extreme conditions.

This is why we will try now to look at very many new projects in Moscow to get an idea of how and what may be introduced for the entire Russia.

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