MOSCOW: Russia’s parliamentary election is marking a significant moment as it includes residents from regions that Moscow has illegally annexed from Ukraine following its full-scale invasion over four years ago. This move is part of the Kremlin’s strategy to solidify its territorial gains.
Officials in Kyiv have condemned the election as illegal, with human rights activists claiming that residents are being coerced into participating. Voting began across Russia on Friday and will continue until Sunday, although balloting in the annexed regions and some areas near the Russian border has been ongoing since late last month, citing security concerns.
Voting in Annexed Territories
Russian authorities assert that the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia territories, often referred to as the “new regions,” have over 3.5 million eligible voters. These areas were annexed by Russia in September 2022, despite not being fully under Moscow’s control, and the international community has not recognized this annexation.
At a polling station in the Russian-held part of the Donetsk region, voters were observed casting their ballots under the watchful eye of armed Russian soldiers. President Vladimir Putin has emphasized the importance of this voting, stating that residents will be voting for the State Duma for the first time since their “reunification” with Russia. He also noted that Russian soldiers involved in the conflict would participate in the voting process.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
Ukraine’s government has urged other nations not to recognize the election results, warning that participation in organizing the vote could lead to criminal charges for Ukrainians. A coalition of nine Ukrainian human rights organizations has called on residents in the occupied territories to avoid the polls, emphasizing the need to protect their lives and safety. They argue that the elections are an attempt to legitimize the Russian occupation and annexation of Ukrainian land.
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand described the voting in these regions as a “blatant violation of international law,” asserting that the European Union will not recognize the elections or their outcomes.
Activists have reported instances of coercion, with local election officials allegedly going door-to-door, accompanied by Russian troops, to pressure residents into voting. Moscow-appointed authorities are said to threaten public sector workers with job loss if they do not participate, and social benefits are reportedly contingent on voting. Violeta Artemchuk from the Donbas SOS human rights group highlighted that individuals reliant on social assistance could be labeled as “disloyal” if they abstain from voting, risking their benefits.
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko characterized the elections as a farce, stating that voting under such conditions reflects the Kremlin’s disregard for the people and the electoral process in occupied territories. He described the situation as a mockery of democracy, asserting that any electoral procedures conducted by Russian authorities in these regions are fundamentally flawed.
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