Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Russia Votes in Parliamentary Election Amid War and Controls
Russians are voting to choose members of their lower house of parliament.
The election lasts three days and is the first since Russia began its full-scale war in Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin says the vote will show that many people support the soldiers and the government.
The United Russia party is expected to remain the strongest party.
Many candidates who oppose the war were not allowed to run.
Some voters questioned whether electronic voting could be trusted, but election officials rejected those claims.
Polls also show that support for peace talks has risen above 60 percent.
The government is watching the election to learn how tired people may be of the war and its economic effects.
Russians began a three-day State Duma election on Friday, the first since the full-scale war in Ukraine began in February 2022.
President Vladimir Putin presented the vote as evidence that millions support Russian soldiers and his policies.
The pro-Putin United Russia party is widely expected to retain dominance in the 450-seat lower house.
Most anti-war candidates were excluded, while Yabloko candidates remained on some individual constituency ballots.
The election is also being used to gauge war weariness amid economic strain, fuel shortages, drone attacks and sanctions.
- Who
- Russian voters, President Vladimir Putin, the pro-Putin United Russia party, Yabloko and other parliamentary candidates.
- What
- A three-day election for Russia’s 450-seat State Duma, taking place amid the war in Ukraine.
- When
- Voting began on Friday; partial results were expected Sunday and near-complete results Monday.
- Where
- Across Russia’s 11 time zones, including Moscow, with electronic voting used in some areas.
- Why
- The Kremlin seeks to demonstrate public unity and support for its war policies while gauging war weariness and political support.
Kremlin and election authorities
Opposition candidates and skeptical voters
Meaning of the election
Kremlin and election authorities
Putin said the vote would demonstrate that millions stand behind Russian soldiers and that the country is united around shared values.
Opposition candidates and skeptical voters
Some voters questioned the credibility of the result, including the possibility of electoral manipulation and the use of electronic voting.
Access to the ballot
Kremlin and election authorities
Authorities said electoral rules had been breached when the Supreme Court ruled against Yabloko’s participation as a party.
Opposition candidates and skeptical voters
Yabloko denied violating the rules, and the exclusion of most anti-war candidates limited voters’ choices.
War policy and public opinion
Kremlin and election authorities
The Kremlin says national unity is necessary and has linked the election to support for continuing the war until its stated objectives are met.
Opposition candidates and skeptical voters
Opinion polls cited in the report showed rising support for peace talks and growing anxiety about the conflict’s economic and social effects.
- Election body
- Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament
- Seats
- 450
- Voting period
- Three days
- Expected outcome
- United Russia is widely expected to retain its dominance
- Anti-war participation
- Most anti-war candidates were excluded, although some Yabloko candidates remained on local ballots
- Peace-talk polling
- Some opinion polls showed support for peace talks above 60%
- Result timetable
- Initial and partial results were expected at 1800 GMT on Sunday, with near-complete results on Monday