Parliamentary elections have started in Russia from Friday i.e. September 18. Voting is going on in the whole country for the next 3 days. Voting is also taking place in the territories occupied by Russia in the war. It is known that the victory of Vladimir Putin's party United Russia is practically certain in this election. Because, the 'Yabloko party', known as the only rival party in Russia, against the war in Ukraine, was not given the opportunity to compete in this election.
This is the first parliamentary election in Russia since the military operation in Ukraine in 2022. For the Kremlin, this election is not only an election of MPs, but also a means of sending a message to the world. Putin wants a large voter turnout to send a message that the country's people are on the side of the government and the military despite the war. Putin himself cast his vote online on Friday. On the eve of the election, he gave a message that the people of the country will prove that millions of people are on the side of the Russian army and that our country is united by presenting their voting rights. The total number of seats in the Russian parliament is 450. Of these, 225 seats are in the Russian State Duma. Remaining 225 seats are spread across other regions.
The Yabloko party, known as the only rival party in Russia, opposed to the war in Ukraine, was not given the opportunity to compete in this election.
In addition to the ruling party United Russia, parties such as the Communist Party, LDPR, A Just Russia and New People are contesting this election. However, these parties are not considered strong opposition parties in Russia. Rather, it stands by the government on important issues. Yabloko team is considered as the only opponent among them. Those who openly blocked the Ukraine war. The party called for a negotiated end to the war. However, the Russian Supreme Court banned the party from the elections in August. According to the court, the party used money from foreign-funded persons in the election campaign. Also, used images and promotional materials without permission. The party also violated the norms of online campaigning. However, Yabloko claims that his party has been excluded from the election due to its opposition to the war in Ukraine. However, some candidates of the party are contesting as independent candidates. On the other hand, anti-war leaders were imprisoned, some forced to leave Russia.
Meanwhile, for the first time in this election, voting is being held in the Russian occupied regions of Ukraine. Voting is underway in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. However, the international community strongly opposed this step of Russia. Ukraine and the European Union declared the vote there illegal. Russia did not invite the international community to this election. As a result, questions are raised about the impartiality of the election. It is believed that the preliminary results may come out from the evening of September 20. It is expected that the full picture of the election will be clear by September 21. But Putin's party is virtually certain to maintain its dominance in parliament.