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Imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny today called on Russians to protest against President Vladimir Putin on Election Day in March by turning out to vote.
Posting through his supporters on social media, Navalny argued that it was not enough to vote against Putin because the Kremlin would manipulate the result using an electronic voting system being deployed in presidential elections for the first time.
But he said the sight of large crowds turning out at noon on March 17 would send a strong signal not to put anyone at risk.
"This could be a powerful demonstration of the state of mind of the country. At 12 noon there is a high turnout, there are many people and it is simply impossible to single out those who vote 'no'. This will be a nationwide protest against Putin taking place near your home. It is available to everyone, everywhere. Millions will be able to participate. And tens of millions will witness it ," Navalny said, Reuters reports.
Navalny is currently serving time in an Arctic penal colony on charges involving extremism that he says were all designed to silence him.
His supporters say it is impossible to prevent Putin, in power as prime minister or president since 1999, extending his rule for another six years - putting him on track to overtake Josef Stalin and became Russia's longest-serving ruler since the 18th century.
But Navalny's camp wants to use the campaign period as an opportunity to drum up opposition to Putin and the war, not least among cold voters outside Russia.
The Kremlin says Putin will win simply because he has popular support and is trusted, with poll ratings of around 80%.
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