[1] Federal Bailiffs Service Director Artur Parfenchikov was appointed Head of Karelia in February 2017, replacing Alexander Khudilainen.

[3] During first term Parfenchikov faced numerous rumours about his potential resignation due to regional elite conflicts and general lack of accomplishments.

[4] In the 2021 Russian legislative election United Russia received 31.69% in Karelia, its 7th worst result nationally,[5] which further fuelled speculations about Parfenchikov's replacement.

[7] Due to the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and subsequent economic sanctions the cancellation and postponement of direct gubernatorial elections was proposed.

[9] Eventually, the postponement never occurred, as on 3 June Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Karelia called head election for 11 September 2022.