Russia holds State Duma elections for 450 seats

Russian voters have begun a three-day voting period, from September 18 to 20, to elect 450 deputies to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Federal Assembly. The new Duma will serve a five-year term, with responsibilities including discussing and passing federal laws, reviewing the federal budget, and performing constitutional oversight functions.

The election utilizes a mixed system where 225 seats are allocated via party lists nationwide and the remaining 225 are determined through single-mandate constituencies. More than 111 million citizens are eligible to vote both within Russia and abroad. Voting is also being conducted in Crimea and the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson currently under Russian control.

Ten parties are participating in the federal round. While major parties share similar views on security and defense, they offer differing proposals regarding the economy, income, and social policy. The election takes place amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, with voters focusing on security, fuel, income, inflation, healthcare, and social welfare.