Key facts
- Russia's Sept. 18-20 parliamentary election was described as the "dirtiest" in modern history by observers.
- The vote was held in Ukrainian territories illegally claimed by Russia.
- Ukraine and the EU have rejected the election as illegal.
- Russian authorities reported exceptionally high turnout in occupied territories, with figures ranging from over 74% to 81%.
- Figures from occupied territories could not be independently verified due to lack of independent observers and mobile voting procedures.
- Human rights groups suggest Russian authorities worked toward pre-set support targets for the ruling United Russia party.
Russia held its parliamentary elections from September 18 to 20, extending the vote to Ukrainian territories it illegally claims as its own. Ukraine and the European Union have denounced the elections as illegal and illegitimate, with observers describing the process as the "dirtiest" and least competitive in modern history.
According to Ukrainian officials and human rights organizations, the primary purpose of holding elections in occupied territories was to project an image of local acceptance of Russian rule and integration into Russia's political system. Dementiy Bilyi, a Ukrainian election expert, stated that Russia aimed to demonstrate that the population of these territories supports Russia's political course and is part of the "Russian reality."
Russian authorities reported exceptionally high turnout figures in the occupied territories, exceeding 74% in Kherson Oblast and reaching over 81% in Donetsk Oblast. These figures far surpassed the nationwide turnout of around 56%. However, these numbers could not be independently verified due to the absence of unrestricted independent observers and the use of mobile ballot boxes and door-to-door voting procedures. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation suggested these high figures were part of a pre-planned propaganda effort. Alena Lunova of the Human Rights Center ZMINA indicated that Russia often fabricates figures to meet predetermined targets, citing the 2014 Crimean "referendum" as an example.