Midway through Friday, The Insider, an investigative outlet, had already reported on a variety of unusual characters showing up at polling stations, including a hare, a beaver, a wild boar, a polar bear, two Father Frosts, and a herd of yaks. Additionally, a Russian bogatyr warrior was seen wishing “peace” upon voters.
However, the most creative display came from Buryatia in eastern Siberia, a region with a high number of mobilized men and casualties in Russia’s war.
The residents of the republic arrived in distinct groups such as cement factory workers, Buddhist monks in traditional attire on horseback, and a group of around forty fishermen carrying ice drills.
“The residents’ display of civic duty is undoubtedly a cause for celebration!” stated Svetlana Avzdevich, the chair of the local election commission, as reported by local media.
Yet, the village of Nutepelmen stole the show when, four hours into voting, the local polling station proudly announced a 100 percent turnout as all 61 residents had cast their votes.
3. Rewards
As the voting progressed, reports emerged of fortunate winners of raffled prizes. In Siberia, a cleaner was thrilled to have won an apartment, while a female police officer walked away with a car.
