Russia begins tightly controlled parliamentary election amid war concerns

Russian voters began a three-day election for the State Duma, with President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party expected to retain its dominance. DW reports that opposition groups are barred from participating as public concern grows over the war, economic pressures and possible renewed mobilization.

Russians began voting Friday in a three-day election for the 450-member State Duma, the lower house of parliament. More than 110 million people are eligible to cast ballots, with polls scheduled to close at 1800 GMT on Sunday, according to DW.

The election is the first parliamentary vote since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. United Russia, the party associated with President Vladimir Putin, currently controls more than two-thirds of the chamber and is widely expected to preserve its majority.

DW reports that only parties supporting Putin’s war in Ukraine were registered to compete, while opposition groups were prevented from taking part. The vote is therefore being viewed less as a competitive contest and more as an indicator of support for the continuation of the military campaign.

The election is taking place amid signs of growing public unease, the source says. Rising prices, fuel shortages and restrictions on the internet are contributing to dissatisfaction, while rumors of another mobilization drive after the election are also circulating. DW says public support for the war is beginning to weaken, although the expected result would allow the government to continue its current policy.

Putin described the election as a “collective contribution to Russia’s victory against Ukraine,” according to DW. Voting began in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Chukotka, the first of Russia’s 11 time zones to open polling stations.

Residents in the Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson are also voting, despite opposition from Kyiv. Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014, is participating for the second time. Regional parliamentary elections are being held concurrently in eight Russian regions.