Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the high voter turnout in the recent parliamentary election is a testament to the public’s support for the government’s national security measures and military operations in Ukraine. The election, held from September 18 to 20, saw a turnout of 59.3%.
Putin emphasized that the election results, which showed strong backing for the ruling United Russia party, reflect public confidence in the country’s current policies. He conveyed this message to Russian soldiers engaged in the military campaign in Ukraine, suggesting that their efforts have the backing of the Russian populace.
The near-complete election results indicate that the United Russia party secured more than 57% of the vote, translating to 355 of the 450 seats in the State Duma. This majority grants the party nearly 80% control of the lower house of parliament.
The election process occurred under stringent political controls, with many candidates opposed to the war in Ukraine being excluded from the contest. This exclusion of opposition voices has raised questions about the overall fairness and inclusiveness of the electoral process.