In a tightly controlled presidential ballot in Russia, voters who express their opposition to the incumbent Vladimir Putin by participating in a coordinated protest could face up to eight years of imprisonment. With no genuine alternative to Putin and key opposition figures barred or deceased, the Russian election seems predictable. However, a plan to gather at voting sites at midday on the final day of the three-day ballot has gained traction.

The initiative, known as "Noon Against Putin," encourages voters to queue up for paper ballots and exercise their right to vote in a manner that aligns with their own convictions. Whether it involves supporting a preferred candidate, spoiling the ballot, or abstaining from voting, the aim is to convey a strong message and demonstrate unity against the current regime. The call for action has been promoted by the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's Telegram channel and has garnered support from Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's wife.

Despite the growing movement, the Moscow Prosecutor's Office has issued a stern warning, stating that participating in this rally would violate three articles of Russia's Criminal Code, potentially resulting in imprisonment ranging from five to eight years. According to the office, any calls for illegal mass public actions are punishable under current legislation.

Vladimir Putin, who has been in power since 2000, returned to the presidency in 2012 after a brief stint as Prime Minister by Dmitry Medvedev. Constitutional changes in 2020 extended his potential tenure until 2036. While Putin's victory in the upcoming election seems assured, the Kremlin is eager to record a high voter turnout to legitimize his rule.

Critics argue that this election follows a pattern favored by dictators, but its significance should not be underestimated. John Hall, a professor of law at Fowler Law School, Chapman University, highlights how Putin can use his electoral victory as proof of his popularity among the Russian people and as an endorsement for his controversial actions, including the war in Ukraine. Putin seeks to demonstrate that his actions have widespread support, even in the occupied territories of Ukraine.

The election process has already encountered incidents of unrest. Arson attacks occurred at polling places, and an elderly woman was detained in Moscow for setting fire to a voting booth. These events reflect the heightened tension surrounding the election.

Ukrainian human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviichuk, a co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, called on world leaders not to recognize the results of the election, dismissing it as a staged performance unrelated to meaningful change in Russia.

Experts, such as Stephen Hanson, a government professor at William & Mary University, note that Putin no longer sees formal term limits as a constraint on his actions. If he remains in office until 2036, the constitution could potentially be adjusted to suit his desires.

As the Russian presidential election unfolds, the nation awaits the outcome, while concerns grow over the restriction of democratic participation and the potential consequences for those daring to express their dissent against the prevailing regime.