Russian voters began three days of voting on Friday in the country's first parliamentary elections during wartime. This election, which is almost without opposition, is likely to consolidate the Kremlin's political dominance.
Increased Participation Through Electronic Voting
Officials have extended the voting period over the weekend to boost participation among the 111 million eligible voters, even allowing electronic voting. Polling stations opened on Friday and will continue until Sunday.
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Election as a Tool for Legitimacy
The Kremlin wants this parliamentary election — the first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — to emphasize public support for the war and legitimize its actions. Officials have tried to avoid any political risks and suppress even the slightest signs of dissent.
Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, told the nation before voting: "Your choice and will will once again show that millions stand behind our soldiers and that we are a united people bound by shared values, historical memory, and love for our homeland."
The Kremlin's main party, United Russia, is almost certain to maintain its control over the State Duma. Several smaller parties from the 'systemic opposition', which are in sync with the government on all key issues, are also expected to retain their presence.
Voters will cast two separate votes, filling half of the 450 Duma seats by selecting from political parties on the ballot. The rest will be contested in single-member districts where voters will choose individual candidates.
The liberal Yabloko party, the only registered political entity that dared to criticize the war, was removed from the ballot last month and has only a few dozen candidates in the single-member district races. Additionally, some anti-war politicians have been imprisoned or forced to flee abroad.
Elections in Annexed Ukrainian Regions
This election comes after a summer of Ukrainian drone attacks on oil refineries, which brought about a widespread fuel crisis. Online retailers Wildberries and Ozon were also targeted. These damages have exacerbated Russia's economic troubles and made the war more tangible for millions.
For the first time, the parliamentary elections include residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed after the war began. Voting is also taking place in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that was also illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
Kyiv officials have deemed voting in Russian-controlled areas illegal and have urged foreign governments and international organizations not to recognize the elections, warning Ukrainians that participating in the voting process may have criminal consequences.
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Source: abcnews.com
