MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. More than 210 ballot papers have been irretrievably spoiled due to attempts to pour various liquids into ballot boxes, Russian Central Election Commission (CEC) Chairwoman Ella Pamfilova said. 

"In all, at least 214 ballot papers have been irreparably lost," she said.

Earlier, she said that attempts at spoiling ballot papers were reported from 29 polling stations in 20 Russian regions. Thus, attempts to pour liquids into ballot boxer were reported from 20 polling station, arson attempts - at eight polling stations, and an attempted use of a smoke pellet - at one polling station.

The Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s parliament, officially designated March 17, 2024 as the day of the presidential election. The Central Election Commission (CEC) then announced that voting would take place over three days on March 15-17.

Four candidates are vying for the top office, namely New People party nominee Vladislav Davankov; self-nominated candidate and incumbent President Vladimir Putin; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) nominee Leonid Slutsky; and Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) nominee Nikolay Kharitonov.