MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/. Western countries’ statements that they don’t recognize Russia’s election are a problem for themselves, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.—

"Just look, they have been saying for several months that elections in Russia must not be held that they would not let them happen," she said during an event organized by the Russian Znanie Society. "But when they understood that the election will ultimately take place and that the voting will be organize both in our country and for those Russians who are staying abroad <…>, when they (Western countries - TASS) understood that we would organize polling stations there (abroad - TASS), despite their intimidation and aggressive rhetoric, they proceeded to the next stage - they began warning that they would not recognize this election. This is their own problem. This is our election, our country. What have they to do with it?"

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.