Putin's ruling party set to claim 'victory' in Russian parliamentary election, in results deemed predetermined

On September 20, Russia held its parliamentary elections, with the ruling United Russia party expected to secure a substantial victory, likely achieving around 57.54% of the vote. The final results, which are expected to be finalized by September 25, will determine the extent of United Russia's dominance. As is customary in Russian elections, the results are widely viewed by independent observers as predetermined by President Vladimir Putin and his government.

President Putin himself did not participate in the elections, having served as the party's leader from 2008 to 2012. In 2024, he won 88% of the vote in the presidential election. Other parties, such as the Communists, the ultra-nationalist LDPR, and the New People's Party, typically secure minority seats and tend to align with United Russia's policies.

According to the human rights group OVD-Info, over 2,000 Russians are currently incarcerated for political offenses. Opposition figures, including Boris Nadezhdin, have fled the country due to fears of criminal prosecution. In occupied Ukrainian territories, elections took place under conditions of violence and repression, mirroring strategies employed during Russia's 2024 presidential election.

President Putin emphasized the support of the Russian populace during a speech on September 16, vowing to maintain unity and oppose external pressures. In Moscow, the election's final day coincided with an intense Ukrainian drone attack, targeting critical infrastructure and generating significant smoke. Zelensky, in response, called for an end to the war and urged Russia to seek peace rather than investing heavily in defense systems.

Russia accused Ukraine of attempting to interfere with the election process, alleging cyberattacks on electronic voting systems and communications infrastructure. Both the Central Election Commission and the Digital Ministry reported ongoing efforts to counter such threats and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.