MOSCOW: Polling stations opened across Russia’s far east on Friday as voters began a three-day election for the 450-seat State Duma, the country’s first parliamentary vote since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Voting started in the Pacific regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka before progressing westward across Russia’s 11 time zones. Polling will continue through Sunday.
President Vladimir Putin urged Russians to participate, portraying the election as an opportunity to demonstrate national unity and support for the country’s armed forces.
Opposition Faces Restrictions Ahead of Vote
United Russia, which has dominated the State Duma since the early 2000s, is competing alongside the Communist Party, nationalist LDPR, A Just Russia and New People.
However, the election comes amid restrictions on political opposition and criticism of the war. Russia’s Supreme Court removed Yabloko, which has called for ending the conflict, from the party list last month.
Voting is also taking place in Ukrainian territories occupied and claimed by Russia. Ukraine rejects the ballots conducted there as illegal.
Ukraine War Overshadows Parliamentary Election
Meanwhile, the conflict has continued to affect Russia’s security and economy as the war enters its fifth year.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said more than 350 Ukrainian drones targeted the Moscow region overnight on Friday, with Russian air defences destroying most before they reached the capital.
Furthermore, Russia faces higher military expenditure, fuel disruptions and other war-related economic pressures.
Some Russian opposition figures have raised concerns that authorities could announce another military mobilisation after the election.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also accused Moscow of preparing a new call-up. Putin, however, has denied that Russia plans another mobilisation.
The restricted political environment complicates efforts to use the election results as a straightforward measure of Russian public opinion toward the continuing war.
