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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

Russians vote for new parliament after campaign marked by near silence

Precinct election commission members set up a polling station for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moscow, on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
Precinct election commission members set up a polling station for the upcoming parliamentary elections in Moscow, on Thursday, 17 September 2026. © Pavel Bednyakov / AP Photo

Russians began voting on Friday in three days of parliamentary elections to choose the 450 members of the State Duma, after a campaign with little public debate or television coverage. More than four years into the war in Ukraine, candidates have also had few opportunities to challenge Kremlin policies.

Russia has barely appeared to be in election mode, with minimal coverage on state-controlled television.

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