Russia

18–20 Sep · State Duma

● Global significance

Facts

A major-power election conducted amid war and repression; limited competition does not reduce its signalling value for regime control and policy. Independent monitors (EPDE's Russian Election Monitor) document systematic exclusion of genuine opposition ahead of the vote: the Yabloko party — running on an anti-war platform — has had 32 members barred from candidacy and its regional lists annulled by courts in multiple regions, while opposition parties report being shut out of the local election commissions that oversee balloting. The Kremlin has also built a network of pro-government "observer" groups designed to certify the vote's legitimacy regardless of conduct. The State Duma election coincides with separate elections for 8 regional governors, new governors chosen by parliament in 3 more regions, 39 regional legislatures, and 9 city councils, held the same weekend.

The 450-seat State Duma is elected through a mixed system, but as a single nationwide vote — not separate regional elections: 225 seats go to parties by a single national party-list tally, and 225 go to winners of single-mandate districts, which are drawn so that each of Russia's 89 federal subjects has at least one district, though district lines don't have to follow subject borders.

Date status: Confirmed

Category: National (direct)

A country's own general, parliamentary or presidential election.

Direct vote — citizens vote directly for this position.

Last checked: 2026-09-01

Sources