United Russia loses votes but retains Duma majority according to forecast

Opposition observers and independent media such as Novaya Gazeta had pointed out possible manipulations in advance. The election authority rejected these accusations and described the vote as conducted in accordance with the rules. International election observers were not admitted in the usual numbers.

Security measures and procedures

In several major cities, including Moscow, there were heightened security measures on election day. Mayor Sergei Sobyanin had coordinated organizational details for voting in the capital in advance. Citizens reported long waiting times at individual polling stations as well as widespread use of electronic voting.

The Kherson region, which Russia considers part of its own territory according to its own claims, was likewise integrated into the organization of the election. The Central Election Commission announced that specially set up polling stations were used there. Ukrainian authorities criticized the holding of the vote in the occupied territories as unlawful.

During the campaign, the party addressed the conflict with Ukraine and portrayed the government's course as the only alternative. Critics accused the leadership of wanting to distract from domestic political problems by emphasizing external threats. Independent opinion polls had recently been published only to a limited extent.

Reactions and outlook

The final result is expected in the coming days, once the counting of votes from all regions has been completed. The election authority announced that complaints and objections would be reviewed in accordance with electoral law. Observers expect a phase of result confirmation lasting several days.

With the expected victory of United Russia, the distribution of power in the State Duma is likely to remain stable. The opposition in parliament, including the Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, is expected to largely retain its previous seats. According to the forecasts, new non-partisan movements had hardly any chance of entering parliament.

The development is also being followed closely internationally. Western governments emphasized in their reactions the importance of transparent elections and the observance of democratic standards. Moscow rejected corresponding criticism as interference in internal affairs.

Overall, the election outcome points to a consolidated but no longer unchallenged position of the Kremlin party. The loss of more than ten percentage points compared to previous results is seen as a clear signal, even though remaining at the top of parliament appears assured.

Ella Pamfilova and her agency announced further press conferences in the coming days, in which details of the election process and possible irregularities are to be explained. Citizens can submit objections within the statutory deadline.

International attention is now focused on the outcome of the count as well as on the question of how the narrower result will affect domestic political debate in Russia.