MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. Political campaign advertising in the run-up to Russia’s presidential election on March 15-17, 2024 will be allowed to run in various media outlets between February 17 and 12:00 midnight local time on March 15, Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretary Natalia Budarina announced at a meeting of the national elections authority.
"The campaign period for a [presidential] candidate begins from the date they file their application with the CEC of Russia to be listed on the ballot. As for campaigning in the media, it is possible [to run political ads] for 28 days before the voting day and will commence on February 17. All types of campaigning should cease at midnight local time on March 15, that is, the first day of voting," Budarina clarified.
She added that the pre-election campaign period is "the most important stage of the electoral process" and can be conducted through various means, including "distribution of campaign leaflets, placing banners and, of course, in the media." "Our legislation provides broad opportunities for campaigning; the main thing at the same time is to comply with all legal requirements," Budarina concluded.
On December 7, the Federation Council, or upper house of the Russian parliament, adopted a formal resolution designating March 17, 2024 as the date of Russia’s next presidential election.