Beavers, singers and free pancakes: that’s how bizarre the elections in Russia are

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It is clear that the presidential elections in Russia are a set-up. Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (71) wants to secure a new term in office – and possibly extend it for life. Putin is one of four candidates on the ballot, the competition has no real chance.

The protest is mercilessly suppressed. Those who dare to rebel against the Kremlin and those in power are all the more courageous. A video circulating on social media claims to show a young woman pouring ink into a ballot box in Moscow. Security forces immediately rush in and arrest them.

In the Kursk and Rostov-on-Don regions, manipulated pens are also said to have been used, the ink of which would disappear under the influence of heat. This means that election officials loyal to the regime will likely be able to change their ballots later. This claim, which emerged on social media, cannot be independently verified.

Otherwise, it becomes clear on day one of the three that the mock elections are taking on the character of a spectacle in some places. BBC journalist Francis Scarr collected some strange moments from polling stations in Russia in a thread on X. Blick lists the most bizarre incidents.

Well-known singer Stas Mikhailov (54) performed at a polling station in Omsk on Friday, accompanied by a crowd of colorfully dressed background singers. Mikhailov is known to be in favor of the invasion of Ukraine: fellow musicians who left Russia after the invasion would soon ‘crawl again on their knees’. Russia’s most famous singer Alla Pugacheva (74), an outspoken opponent of the war, responded to Mikhaylov’s polemic and called him a “bastard”. Mikhailov will also appear at the polling station on days two and three.

In the Tyumen judo center, which was converted into a polling station, a cardboard cutout of the American presenter Tucker Carlson (54) could be seen. Anyone who always wanted to take a photo with the ex-Fox News host could do so – after he or she cast their vote. Local authorities even went so far as to say that “every voter” had their photo taken after casting their vote. Elsewhere in Tyumen, a woman dressed herself and her daughter as Barbie came to the polls.

Carlson interviewed Putin in February and received a lot of international criticism. During the conversation, the Russian president spread confusing lies and went on a half-hour historical digression.

In the autonomous Khanty-Mansi Okrug, east of the Ural Mountains, a voter was allowed to vote in a costume of the Soviet cartoon character Cheburashka. “A voter came to one of our polling stations dressed as Cheburashka, one of our Russian cultural symbols. “He created a festive atmosphere on the spot,” Neft.Media quoted the chairman of the administrative unit’s election committee, Denis Korneev. Korneyev also expressed his joy at the high turnout. It wasn’t the only time people in costumes cast their votes. In Buryatia, a person appeared in a large beaver costume.

In Yakutia, a newlywed couple was spotted going to the polling station immediately after their wedding. According to media reports, Daria and Dimitri Tymoshenko received a standing ovation at the scene. The local election commission is said to have sung “Congratulations”.

A man dressed as Father Frost, Russia’s equivalent of Santa Claus, was filmed giving his voice by Russia’s state news agency Ria Novosti. Russian Orthodox Christians actually celebrate Christmas on January 7 and not in mid-March.

According to “Sota”, voters in Arkhangelsk received an omelet after the vote – of course for free. Several women also appeared there in folk clothes and performed traditional dances.

Source: Blick