Russia held general elections to choose 450 lower house (Duma) seats beginning September 18 over a four-day period.
The only party that has argued for ending the war, Jabloko, failed to place its name on this ballot.
The European Union and German government criticized the way the election was conducted with unusually strong language.
Three-Line Summary
1. In Russia's general elections, the anti-war party Jabloko failed to field even candidates.
2. Observers claimed their activities were obstructed in 20 regions.
3. Final vote tallies have not yet been released.
Why the Anti-War Party Disappeared
Russia's general elections this time proceed over four days across 11 time zones, with initial results expected after polling places close on Sunday evening (8 p.m. Central European Time). The ballot includes only the ruling party United Russia, led by President Putin, and other Kremlin-friendly parties. Jabloko, which has demanded an end to the Ukraine war, was already stripped of its right to participate in elections last month and was excluded from this list. Besides Jabloko, other opposition forces also failed to field candidates in this election. Simultaneously, elections for regional councils and local government were also held during the same period.
Claims of Obstruction of Observer Access
Jabloko leader Nikolai Ribakov requested intervention from the election commission chief, claiming that approximately 1000 of his party's observers active in 20 regions are under severe pressure. According to WELT reporting, observer access to polling places was denied in several cities including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in Tambov all Jabloko observers were interrogated by police. The Communist Party also stated that many of its observers were denied access. OVD-Info, a human rights monitoring outlet banned from operating in Russia, reported receiving hundreds of similar complaints. Reports also emerged of state agency and corporate employees being transported to polling places by bus in groups. In Moscow, complaints also emerged of voters being automatically registered for online voting without their consent and then being unable to obtain a ballot at the polling place. The Kremlin released a video of President Putin directly casting an online vote on a computer. Russian elections have repeatedly been the subject of controversy over fairness and democratic procedures.
The EU and Germany's View
An EU Commission spokesperson stated that the way these general elections were conducted demonstrates the persistent and deepening erosion of Russian democracy, pointing out that Russian authorities have intensified systematic suppression to exclude democratic opposition forces. A German Foreign Ministry spokesperson also expressed skepticism, suggesting that they would have to prepare to accept the results of another orchestrated electoral performance. Since these elections were also held in Ukrainian territories under Russian occupation, controversy over their legitimacy is expected to continue regardless of how the results are announced.