In major cities across Russia, long lines of voters gathered outside polling stations during the presidential election on Sunday, signaling discontent with Vladimir V. Putin’s tenure. Many were responding to a call by opposition leaders to protest what they view as a rubber-stamp process that will only serve to keep Putin in power.

The late Russian opposition leader, Aleksei A. Navalny, had urged his supporters to show up at the polls at midday on Sunday, the final day of the three-day voting period, to express dissatisfaction with Putin’s imminent fifth presidential term in an election devoid of genuine competition.

Despite the risks associated with dissent in Russia, Mr. Navalny’s team and other opposition movements continued to call for a protest in the lead-up to the vote. The initiative, known as Noon Against Putin, aimed to provide a safe avenue for citizens to voice their discontent in a country that has increasingly clamped down on dissent since its invasion of Ukraine.

The focus of the protest was on solidarity among like-minded citizens rather than the actual actions taken with their ballots, as the election was viewed as lacking genuine choice by opposition leaders.

“This is our protest — we don’t have any other options,” said Lena, a 61-year-old voter in central Moscow, who intended to spoil her ballot. Many others echoed similar sentiments, citing a desire to demonstrate their opposition to the current regime.

Alissa, a 25-year-old voter, highlighted the importance of coming together with people who share her views against the ongoing war and government policies. The protest was not just about the act of voting but about making a collective statement against the status quo.

After Mr. Navalny’s tragic death in custody, his widow and political heir, Yulia Navalnaya, championed the Noon Against Putin initiative as a means to honor his memory and protest against his suspected assassination at the hands of the government.

Leonid Volkov, a key aide of Mr. Navalny, expressed gratitude to the supporters who participated in the midday protest, emphasizing that Russia’s identity transcended Putin’s rule. The solidarity displayed by the protesters underscored a united front against authoritarianism.

The initiative gained momentum despite the risks associated with dissent in Russia, as evidenced by the recent attack on Mr. Volkov in Lithuania. The opposition faced challenges both domestically and abroad, with several individuals detained for participating in election-related activism.

While the exact number of protesters who joined the midday initiative remains unclear, the sudden formation of long lines outside polling stations at noon signaled a significant turnout. The symbolic form of civil disobedience highlighted the limitations faced by the Russian opposition in influencing political change.

Despite the government’s threats to quash any disruptions to the election process, voters like Kristina, a 22-year-old who once volunteered for Mr. Navalny, were undeterred in their show of support for the opposition leader. She emphasized the power of the people to challenge the existing power structure, even in the face of adversity.

Kristina shared a photo of her spoiled ballot, adorned with a message of support for Navalny, before being briefly detained by authorities. The risks associated with dissent did not deter voters from demonstrating their opposition to Putin’s regime, even in the face of potential repercussions.

The protest extended beyond Russia’s borders, with Russian embassies in countries with sizable Russian populations witnessing long lines of voters expressing solidarity with the opposition. Despite the challenges faced by dissident voters abroad, the global reach of the protest underscored the widespread discontent with Putin’s rule.

As the election unfolded, voters across Russia and in various international locations stood in solidarity with the opposition movement, showcasing a united front against authoritarianism.

Valerie Hopkins, Tomas Dapkus, and Anton Troianovski contributed to this comprehensive reporting on the protests and discontent surrounding Russia’s presidential election.