Electronic Voting Machines Malfunction During Russian Parliamentary Election
Russia opened a three-day parliamentary election Friday with no registered anti-war parties on the ballot. United Russia, Putin's party, is expected to retain its dominant hold on the 450-seat State Duma.
- 111 million Russians are eligible to vote across 11 time zones.
- Russia's Supreme Court removed Yabloko, the only anti-war party, from the main ballot last month.
- Yabloko leaders Lev Shlosberg and Maxim Kruglov were jailed for 11 and 7 years respectively before the vote.
- For the first time, voting is held in four annexed Ukrainian regions Russia does not fully control.
Why it matters: Putin has explicitly cast the vote as proof of mass support for the war, now in its fifth year.
- Some opinion polls show support for peace talks has risen above 60%.
- Ukrainian drone strikes on oil refineries triggered fuel shortages; warehouse attacks strained the economy ahead of the vote.
How 13 sources split on this story
Where they split: Whether the election reflects genuine public sentiment or is a staged exercise with a predetermined outcome.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center presents the vote as a foregone conclusion while noting shifting public sentiment, economic strain, and the EU's condemnation of balloting in occupied regions.
Deutsche Welle13hRussia votes for new parliament in controlled elections
PBS NewsHour4hRussia begins 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's power
Newsweek9hElectronic Voting Machines Stop Working In Russia's Elections
Reuters4hExplainer: How Putin may leverage predictable outcome of Russia's electionsCNCTV News6hRussians begin 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's power
Jerusalem Post5hRussians vote in election that Putin sees as barometer of public support for his war in UkraineKSAKSAT 12 San Antonio13hRussians begin 3 days of voting in a parliamentary election set to cement the Kremlin's powerLeft coverage, 3 sources: The left emphasizes suppression of dissent — jailed candidates, a banned party, and voting in illegally annexed territory — as evidence the election lacks legitimacy.
Right coverage, 3 sources: The right focuses on Putin's framing of the vote as a wartime mandate and includes Russian voter voices ranging from resigned acceptance to quiet skepticism about the results.
The Sun2hEmbarrassing moment Putin struggles to vote in his own sham election as ageing tyrant squints at computer
Daily Mail13hRussians begin voting in staged election Putin is guaranteed to win - with parties that support his war the only ones allowed to enter
Fox News9h‘Voters get to choose — just not the result’: Russia’s parliamentary election reaches occupied UkraineWhat’s next: Polls close Sunday; near-complete results are expected by Monday.
- The EU and Kyiv have urged governments not to recognize results from occupied Ukrainian territories.
- Whether the Kremlin will use the results to announce a new mobilization wave, which authorities have repeatedly denied planning.
- How the EU and Western governments will respond to the official outcome once announced.