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Watchdogs Say Russia’s Three-Day Duma Vote Was Unfree

By Drooid · Sep 18, 2026, 10:06 AM UTC · How we work

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Electronic voting rollout

Russia conducted a three-day State Duma election nationwide, including occupied Ukrainian territories, on September 18-20 2026.
The Kremlin introduced electronic voting and spread polling over three days to boost turnout among 111 million eligible voters.
United Russia’s slate is led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Polls put President Vladimir Putin’s August approval at 76 %, down 13 points; United Russia at 37 %.

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Election Intimidation Claims

Russia conducted a three-day State Duma election nationwide, including occupied Ukrainian territories, on September 18-20 2026.
President Vladimir Putin said the vote lets Russians demonstrate support for the troops and the war in Ukraine.
Watchdogs and observers called the election neither free nor fair, citing intimidation and voter coercion.
Fuel shortages and drone strikes sparked lines, raising anxiety and driving men to avoid mobilization.

History

Historical Context

After Russian forces seized Crimea in March 2014, a referendum reported about 83% turnout and 97% support for joining Russia. Putin passed a law for a Russian parliamentary election in Crimea on 14 September 2014, adding the peninsula to vote count. The 2026 State Duma election, extending polling to Ukrainian areas with United Russia’s slate led by Sergey Lavrov and Sergei Sobyanin, follows that precedent.

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Electronic voting rollout

Russia conducted a three-day State Duma election nationwide, including occupied Ukrainian territories, on September 18-20 2026.
The Kremlin introduced electronic voting and spread polling over three days to boost turnout among 111 million eligible voters.
United Russia’s slate is led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Polls put President Vladimir Putin’s August approval at 76 %, down 13 points; United Russia at 37 %.

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