Like a shower curtain

Ugh! This is how shabby Russia’s voting booths look

(Bild: APA/AFP/Olga MALTSEVA)

While Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is famously not averse to pomp and luxury, his people have to show their loyalty to him in shabby cubicles this weekend. With their heads bowed, people struggle through cheap plastic - in rooms reminiscent of public toilets.

Exaggeratedly kitschy propaganda events, strange war exhibitions in museums and huge military parades have characterized the past few years. From Friday to Sunday, presidential elections will now take place in the world's largest country by area. However, they do not present a particularly good picture. Russians are called to cast their votes in run-down, tiled rooms.

The ambience is probably more reminiscent of a public toilet facility than a polling station.(Bild: APA/AFP/Olga MALTSEVA)

(Bild: APA/AFP/STRINGER)

But when Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu goes to vote, everything has to be piping hot again.(Bild: APA/AFP/Russian Defence Ministry/Handout)

The military, on the other hand, cannot hope for any extra sausages.(Bild: APA/AFP/Olga MALTSEVA)

The "list of candidates"(Bild: APA/AFP/NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA)

(Bild: APA/AFP/Vladimir NIKOLAYEV)

(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Off with the ballot paper into the ballot box(Bild: AP)

Ironically, these are photos that very authentically underline the average standard of living of the poor people. The Kremlin is actually reluctant to admit that it looks badly on its own people.