First legislative elections in Russia since the war with Ukraine begin

Moscow, Sept 18 (KUNA) -- Russia announced on Friday the start of voting in the legislative elections to elect deputies to the State Duma, marking the first parliamentary elections held since the start of the war with Ukraine in February 2022.

Ella Pamfilova, head of the Russian Central Election Commission, stated in a press statement that more than one million voters had cast their ballots online within the voting process, which is "proceeding according to plan despite attempts at provocation, cyberattacks, and threats."

She noted that 1,126 foreign observers from 133 countries and 13 international organizations had arrived in Russia to monitor the parliamentary elections, adding that the voting process is proceeding normally "despite attempts at provocation."

Pamfilova also indicated that 175 observers had been appointed in 59 countries to monitor the voting process outside Russia.

She accused "Russia's adversaries" of attempting to disrupt the elections and tarnish their reputation, while affirming that the electoral process would continue despite these attempts.

The State Duma elections, the lower house of the Russian parliament, are being held over three days, from September 18 to September 20, concurrently with regional and local elections in several areas.

The elections take place amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and tensions between Moscow and Western countries, which adds additional political and security significance to the electoral process.

(End) Dan / TMA