The voting in the three-day Russian elections, which began on Friday, is increasingly under heavy control. This election is likely to consolidate Vladimir Putin's power after 26 years of leadership, while the country's full-scale war in Ukraine has entered its fifth year.
Parties Present in the Elections
The only parties participating in this election include the ruling party "United Russia," the Communist Party, "Fair Russia," the nationalist LDPR, and "New People." Meanwhile, "Yabloko," the only public anti-war party in Russia, has been barred from participating in these elections. This party has been sidelined after receiving significant support on social media, especially among the youth.
Government Oversight and Control
European diplomats have described this election as a "sham" and called it a "necessary ceremony" for the Kremlin. Independent observers have previously documented that the government uses its resources to influence election outcomes, including transporting voters to polling stations and pressuring government employees to vote for the ruling party.
The elections are held to fill 450 seats in the Duma and governorships in 11 federal regions. Observers say that these elections are taking place amid concerns about renewed military mobilization in Russia. Putin has urged Russians to vote to show support for the country's military forces.
The elections will continue from September 18 to 20, during which voters will directly elect 11 regional heads. Additionally, voting will take place in areas of Ukraine controlled by Russian forces, a move that neither Kyiv nor the West considers legal.
In the streets of Moscow, there are few signs of the elections taking place, and fears of military mobilization have increased due to Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.
Former supporters of Putin within the country have faced serious challenges in recent years due to the repression of political opponents and severe restrictions on freedom of expression, including a ban on criticizing the war.
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