The Russian presidential elections, aimed at selecting a leader for the next six years, began this Friday morning and will span over three days for the first time.

Voting places initially opened in the far eastern areas of Russia, namely in Chukotka and Kamchatka, because of the time difference.

Since then, more than 94,000 polling places have opened nationwide, operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Official voting concludes on March 17 at 9 p.m.

The incumbent president, Vladimir Putin, Leonid Slutsky of the Liberal Democratic Party, Nikolai Kharitonov of the Communist Party of Russia, and Vladislav Davankov of the New People Party are the four contenders running for the nation’s top job.