Russia prepares for State Duma elections amid Kremlin control
In Russia — an aggressor state — the first elections to the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine are to take place on September 18–20. According to Margarita Zavadskaya, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, the vote is intended to create an appearance of normal life and demonstrate the authorities’ control over the situation.
As YLE News reports, the Kremlin seeks to show that most Russians continue to support the authorities. Opposition activists in exile believe that the country’s leadership is trying to obtain legitimacy through the elections to continue the war and possibly launch a new mobilization.
Turnout and control of voting
According to a Levada Center survey, at the end of May, 66% of respondents did not know that State Duma elections would be held this year. Parties also spent significantly less money on the campaign than in previous years, the Vyorstka outlet reported.
Zavadskaya said that the authorities may be interested in low turnout, as the situation is easier to control with fewer voters. She suggested that employees of the public sector and state-dependent enterprises could be brought to polling stations in an organized manner.
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The Vedomosti newspaper wrote that the presidential administration expects at least 55% turnout and 55% of votes for the United Russia party. According to YLE News, such a result could allow the ruling party to amend the constitution if necessary.
Opposition calls
Civic activist Yekaterina Kiltau, who previously coordinated the work of the Golos observer movement in Altai Krai, said that proving fraud has become more difficult because of the suppression of independent observation. According to her, public discontent is linked to losses in the war, strikes on Russian territory, and the economic situation.
Opposition activists in exile called on opponents of the war to come to polling stations simultaneously at noon and vote for any party except United Russia. Part of the opposition also proposes spoiling ballots because, in its view, all parties admitted to the elections support the war.
The liberal Yabloko party, which ran an anti-war campaign, was removed from the elections after a lawsuit by the Kremlin-loyal nationalist Rodina party over an alleged copyright violation in campaign materials. The Supreme Court rejected Yabloko’s appeal concerning admission to the elections. On August 17, a court in Pskov sentenced the party’s deputy chair, Lev Shlosberg, to 11 years in prison in a case concerning discrediting the armed forces.
