Putin's party secures record score in Russia election

MOSCOW: United Russia, Vladimir Putin's party, secured a record high number of seats in the Duma after a controlled three-day election, authorities announced on Monday. The election, devoid of opposition parties, saw United Russia, which has controlled Russian politics for 25 years, win 355 out of 450 seats. This 355-seat victory represents an increased supermajority, allowing the party to potentially alter the constitution.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the election results revealed the high level of unity among Russians around Putin, who has led the nation since 1999. The ongoing war in Ukraine, which has caused significant loss of life and displacement, has dominated Russian politics. The Kremlin banned any criticism of its military campaign, and the only party advocating for an end to the war was removed from the ballot.

Turnout exceeded 59 percent, despite what electoral chief Ella Pamfilova called "psychological pressure". Despite the challenges, the election was deemed a success. In other regions, including Chechnya, where Ramzan Kadyrov maintains a tight grip, the results were overwhelmingly in favor of Putin's allies. The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, dismissed the election as a mere display of Kremlin control, expressing concerns over the lack of democratic opposition.