Sunday, September 19, 2021
By
Reuters

Putin expected to retain majority in Russian parliamentary election

By
Reuters
|
A man casts his ballots at the last day of a three-day long parliamentary elections in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia September 19, 2021. Photo Reuters
A man casts his ballots at the last day of a three-day long parliamentary elections in the far eastern city of Vladivostok, Russia September 19, 2021. Photo Reuters

  • State pollsters say party remains more popular than its closest rivals on the ballot despite a ratings slump.
  • United Russia holds nearly three quarters of the State Duma's 450 seats.
  • Kremlin denies crackdoown is politically-driven, says individuals are prosecuted for breaking the law.


The ruling United Russia party is poised to win the elections after a massive crackdown that dented Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's movement and prevented opponents from voting.

The expected win by United Russia party will be used by the Kremlin as proof of support for President Vladimir Putin despite malaise over years of faltering living standards.

The party that backs Russia's 68-year-old leader faces a ratings slump, state pollsters say, but remains more popular than its closest rivals on the ballot, the Communist Party and nationalist LDPR party, which often back the Kremlin.

United Russia holds nearly three quarters of the State Duma's 450 seats. That dominance last year helped the Kremlin pass constitutional reforms that allow Putin to run for two more terms as president after 2024, potentially staying in power until 2036.

Navalny's allies were barred from running after his movement was banned in June as extremist. Other opposition figures allege they were targeted with dirty tricks campaigns or not allowed to compete.

A Communist strawberry tycoon says he was unfairly barred, while a liberal opposition politician in St Petersburg says two identically-named "spoiler" candidates are running against him to confuse his voters.

The Kremlin denies a politically-driven crackdown and says individuals are prosecuted for breaking the law. Both it and United Russia deny any role in the registration process for candidates.

Navalny's camp is promoting a tactical voting ploy against United Russia that authorities want blocked online. Since voting began on Friday, Google, Apple and Telegram messenger have limited some access to the campaign on their platforms. Activists accuse them of caving to pressure.

The election runs until 1800 GMT on Sunday when polling stations close in the European exclave of Kaliningrad. It is the last national vote before the 2024 presidential election. Putin, who turns 69 next month, has not said if he will run.