Russian Elections Begin Amid International Scrutiny
The elections for the Russian State Duma kicked off on Friday, marking the first since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These elections extend into occupied regions of Ukraine, as Russia aims to cultivate an illusion of widespread support for its ongoing military actions and annexations in the east.
Notably, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has not been invited to observe these elections, a move that many see as indicative of the Kremlin’s intentions to avoid transparent and fair electoral practices. Pere Joan Pons, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, emphasized that Russia’s failure to invite observers is a serious breach of international commitments concerning democratic norms.
After its invasion, Russia implemented stringent censorship, criminalizing dissent regarding its military operations and spreading misinformation about the conflict. In a related development, a Russian court recently sentenced Lev Shlosberg, a notable opposition figure, to over 11 years in a penal colony for his anti-war stance. Just before his sentencing, the Supreme Court had disqualified his Yabloko Party from participating in the Duma elections.
The electoral list features nine parties, all of which are aligned with President Putin, including the ruling United Russia party, according to reports from the Associated Press. Following the invasion, Russia annexed regions of Ukraine such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. In 2023, Putin signed laws enabling elections in these areas, which Ukraine and much of the international community reject, not recognizing Russian claims over these territories.
Critics argue that these elections serve more as a form of propaganda to reinforce Putin’s narrative about the legitimacy of the war and the annexations rather than a genuine democratic exercise. Keti Korkiya from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that while many Russians might express symbolic support for the Kremlin and the war, they are reluctant to back it if personal or economic costs are involved, which explains the lack of further military conscription.
The upcoming elections will, as expected, unfold under an atmosphere of intimidation and manipulation rather than genuine democratic freedom. Research Fellow Jaroslava Barbieri described the situation as a complete regime of terror, highlighting how the last elections in these regions were in 2024 when Putin claimed a staggering 90% of the vote. During that event, residents were pressured to obtain Russian passports for participation, allowing authorities to compile voter lists.
Barbieri pointed out that election officials, accompanied by Russian soldiers, go door-to-door with ballot boxes, ostensibly for security against potential attacks but largely to intimidate voters, which is a clear violation of international law.
Putin asserted that these elections would demonstrate Russia’s stability on the global stage, claiming they would showcase the “maturity” of the political system in the face of foreign aggression. The Central Election Commission of Russia has rolled out new voting regulations for the occupied territories, stressing early and home voting to limit public gatherings that could be exploited.
In a critical stance, Volodymyr Ariev from the Ukrainian parliament urged those in the occupied territories to boycott the elections, labeling them illegal and in violation of international law. He recommended that residents leave their homes on election day to avoid coercion to vote.
As Putin looks for political legitimacy amid waning military success in Ukraine, the State Duma elections present a chance for the Kremlin to create an illusion of popular support not just for the ruling party, but for the continuation of its aggressive policies. With voting set to conclude on September 20, observers are skeptical about the authenticity of any results, echoing sentiments that in Putin’s interpretation of democracy, it seems the electorate can choose, but the outcomes are predetermined.
