As Russians began voting in the world's largest nation, polling station 5094 in Mumbai too went active.
Set up in the consulate of the Russian Federation on Nepean Sea Road, hundreds of Russians living in western India turned up to cast their vote as Vladimir Putin seeks a return as president of Russia.
Among the first to vote in the city was Russian Consul General Alexey A Novikov and his deputy Mzareulov Alexey, besides the other Russian staff members. A few thousand Russians live in Mumbai, Nashik, Panaji and Pune.
“About 1,000 Russians live in Mumbai. We have hundreds of Russians in Nashik, who are involved construction activities along with the Indian military, and many students in Pune," said Novikov. "The military people turned up in the morning to vote, after hiring a bus to bring them down from Nashik.”
A voting booth was also set up in Panaji, where 2,000 Russians live, either as residents or tourists. "The Goa government was very helpful considering that on Saturday, elections for the Goa assembly were held," added Novikov.
The Panaji booth will be brought to Mumbai, and then flown to Russia along with the Mumbai booth for counting.
