Meeting with Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova
Last night, Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova in the Kremlin to discuss the results of the single voting day in 2025.
September 26, 2025
09:00
The Kremlin, Moscow
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Have you finished the work?
Chairperson of the Central Election Commission Ella Pamfilova: Yes, and I can tell you that the election campaign proceeded surprisingly calmly judging by peacetime criteria, that is, without traditional obstacles.
As for holding elections in emergency conditions, we have learned to do it. It is the Ukrainians who do not have what it takes to hold elections, even though nobody is bombing their civilian facilities or attacking civilians, which is precisely what they are doing to our civilian facilities and civilians. Nevertheless, we do not look for a pretext to put off elections but continue to improve our democratic institutions.
I would like to say that the system has accumulated substantial experience over the past few years, becoming extremely stable and yet very dynamic. Therefore, we have taken all possible security measures in light of the developments in our border regions. In other words, we have kept the system completely open and transparent while giving more attention to security measures.
With this aim in view, we have prepared alternative, emergency premises, just in case. Incidentally, we had to evacuate three polling stations in the Belgorod Region and to conduct elections at alternative premises in the Bryansk Region.
There have been false terrorist attacks, with hoax calls about mines planted at a number of polling stations in Sevastopol. We handled these situations well, thanks to proper organisation.
Overall, I am pleased to tell you that we have not received a single complaint that merits discussion at the Central Election Commission. The turnout was quite high for regional elections, five percent higher than at similar elections in 2022. In a word, 46 percent is a relatively high turnout.
It was for the first time that… You know, this election campaign largely differs from the previous ones. There are several major differences. As we promised, we have launched our digital platform, which is similar to the Vybory state automated system, a long-time system that has worked very well for 30 years. Our digital platform worked perfectly well and absolutely flawlessly without a "safety net." We take pride in this, because it is based on the domestic software and domestic technology and equipment. But the most important element of the system is that it is completely isolated from the internet and hence safely protected from DDoS attacks.
One more thing I would like to say, or rather to boast about, if I may, concerns our community, the commission and the people.
Vladimir Putin: Of course, go ahead.
Ella Pamfilova: VCIOM has conducted research and surveys on the election results. I must say, the polling results are remarkable. Then again, perhaps we should not be surprised - we deserved it. The level of trust in the elections and in the quality of the organisational procedure is growing. It is especially heartening to see that trust in the electoral process and the system is increasing among young people, specifically the 18-24 age group. This is highly gratifying. It means that our outreach to young people has achieved a positive result; the effort was not in vain.
Another significant difference this year concerns remote electronic voting. Despite the connectivity disruptions caused by UAV attacks, we received a record number of applications. Remote electronic voting was offered in 24 regions, resulting in more than 1.7 million applications and a total voter turnout reaching 90.5 percent.
This demonstrates that, despite temporary communication issues, the system performed to its full potential. We provided everything as required, including additional Wi-Fi points, which operated perfectly without failure. I regard this high level of engagement as proof of the system's popularity and evidence of growing public trust and confidence.
However, the most important development this year was the wave of special military operation veterans who campaigned and did so quite successfully. These statistics are new and have not been mentioned elsewhere. Of the 1,663 such candidates who ran, 1,035 were elected. Very few lost their races. A small number withdrew from the campaign, but almost none were rejected by the voters - the percentage of those who were is minimal.
In terms of party affiliation, the United Russia party elected 882; the Communist Party, 23; the Liberal Democratic Party and A Just Russia - For Truth each elected 20; New People, six; the Party of Pensioners, three; the Tatarstan - New Age republican public movement elected two; the Party of Growth and the Civic Platform each elected one; 77 individuals were elected as self-nominated candidates.
This trend was strengthened after you outlined this important guideline, calling for a new wave of political leaders. We are doing everything necessary to support this, with special attention given to special military operation veterans. With your permission, I would now like to mention several legal incidents we have encountered in this regard - it is probably necessary to amend the law. I will now elaborate on this.
Vladimir Putin: Ok.
Ella Pamfilova: Despite what looks like a turbulent period, we continue to develop and advance. As you know, 36 of our regions are defined as difficult to access and remote. The situation is very difficult when we need to reach polar stations and the like. In this connection, the state is doing everything necessary to reach every voter, including reindeer breeders, the staff of polar stations and sailors. One ballot paper cast there is approximately 400 times more expensive than the average for Russia.
We are looking for ways and methods to make voting more comfortable, convenient and accessible, as well as safer. We are working simultaneously on two methods, which were used in a pilot mode. I can provide photographs of ballot papers and other documents delivered by drones and unmanned boats. We have tested this method in Sakhalin and Veliky Novgorod.
Another method we are using involves cooperation with Bureau 1440 to introduce remote electronic voting with the use of satellite communications in regions without internet access. We will launch a pilot project with the Bureau soon, which will resolve many problems and make voting more accessible.
Mr President, I need to say a few words about the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). I raised the issue last time as well.
Why do we need them? Really, why do we continue to pay our contribution to their budget? They do not protect our rights at all. They do not protect the rights of journalists or any other rights, including voting rights. I would describe their operations as travesty, like the farce that is being played out in Moldova.
Anyway, as a member state of that organisation, we had the right to send our representatives as full-fledged observers to monitor these elections. But the authorities have not allowed a single observer from Russia to enter the country, and OSCE ODIHR has not lifted a finger to help. This is not the first time. What do we need that organisation for?
But even when our observers take part in monitoring elections in some countries… The OSCE is a completely closed and undemocratic organisation. It turns out that their conclusions, which have been imposed on them by their handlers, if I may say so, depend on the degree of a country's obedience and completely differ from the conclusions of observers, including Russian ones.
But dissenting opinions are not registered in any way. Therefore, we legitimise their conclusions with our presence. I would like to ask you and the Foreign Ministry to consider this matter once again. I think that organisation has completely discredited itself.
Vladimir Putin: Very well. We will certainly seek the advice of the Foreign Ministry and deputies from both chambers. We will discuss this matter and consider it.
You are right: the situation does appear somewhat absurd when we provide every opportunity, yet nothing happens in return. Well, never mind them. We shall consider what steps to take.
I would like to thank you and all your colleagues who, despite very difficult circumstances, are nonetheless carrying out extensive election campaigns across the country. In some places, this is challenging from an organisational point of view; in others, it is even dangerous. Yet, everyone continues to fulfil their duties and responsibilities.
But above all, of course, we must thank the voters, who, despite everything, still come out and cast their ballots for one party or another. People understand how important this has always been for Russia, and in the present situation it is doubly, even triply important, for our political stability, for the resilience of our political system, and domestic political life.
This forms the very foundation upon which we can succeed in all areas: military, security and economic - you name it. A huge thank you to the people who, despite the difficulties, did their duty. It may sound like a simple, almost banal statement, but in today's circumstances it is of exceptional importance.
We will now discuss in greater detail the changes you have proposed, because the electoral system is a living organism. Naturally, in the course of our work, certain issues inevitably arise that require particular attention. And, as you rightly observed from the outset, the renowned principle remains clear: those who want to act, act; those who do not, find excuses and reasons for inaction.
We are truly committed to strengthening our political system, and despite all the difficulties, we are achieving this, thanks, in no small measure, to your efforts and those of your team.
Thank you very much. I congratulate you on this.
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