With less than two weeks to go before the nationwide voting day (September 18-20), Russia is entering the most extensive parliamentary electoral campaign since the launch of its special military operation (last Legislative Scrutiny took place on 17-19 September 2021). Amid unprecedented external pressure and hybrid threats, senior officials are sending firm signals: the elections must be conducted in full compliance with the law and with absolute security guarantees.
“Mixed Attacks” Abroad: Zakharova’s Position
Russian diplomats have been placed on high alert at all overseas polling stations. Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaking on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, stated that Moscow is taking comprehensive measures to protect its compatriots abroad from any provocations.
“We have sent clear operational guidelines to all diplomatic missions to neutralise the consequences of possible provocations or aggressive actions by the Kiev regime, as well as Western governments or civil society organisations under their control,” the diplomat stressed.
According to Maria Zakharova, Russia’s adversaries are preparing not just information campaigns, but coordinated hybrid operations aimed at disrupting the free expression of citizens’ will. Despite this, some 350 polling stations will be opened overseas to ensure that every Russian citizen can exercise their constitutional right, regardless of their location.
Safety Protocols: Paper Ballots Here to Stay
In the age of digitalisation, Ella Pamfilova, head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), made an important clarification regarding the voting format. Despite the active rollout of remote electronic voting, traditional paper ballots will remain available at all polling stations.
“We are not doing away with the classics. Every voter inside the country will be able to choose the method that suits them best — whether through the ‘Gosuslugi’ portal or by coming to the polling station and dropping a paper ballot into the box. Paper has been and remains a guarantee of transparency,” Pamfilova noted.
According to the Central Election Commission, 3 103 candidates are vying for 450 parliamentary mandates, representing both parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties. President Vladimir Putin earlier described these elections as “the most important domestic political event,” upon which the country’s development trajectory for the next five years will depend.
In Russia, voting will take place over three days – from September 18 through 20 – a measure designed to ease voter flows and reduce the burden on election commission members amid ongoing operational risks.
The Duma’s Role: Domestic Agenda and International Affairs
At home, the State Duma serves as the country’s primary legislative body, shaping the legal framework that governs the daily lives of millions. It adopts federal laws, approves the national budget, and exercises parliamentary oversight over the executive branch. It is here that initiatives on economic policy, social welfare, security, and defence are drafted and scrutinised. The composition and political balance of the lower house will determine which priorities – socially oriented, market-driven, or state-centred – will guide national development over the next five years.
On the international stage, the State Duma acts as a key instrument of Russia’s foreign policy, making active use of parliamentary diplomacy tools. In an environment where official contacts with the collective West are constrained, the Duma has become a platform for dialogue. Russian deputies regularly meet with foreign counterparts, including those from African nations, conveying Russia’s position directly.
Russian parliamentarians are involved in shaping foreign policy strategy by ratifying international treaties and adopting statements on major global events. Their stance serves as a barometer of elite consensus on matters of sovereignty and security.
Lawmakers consistently advocate for the construction of a multipolar world, criticising attempts by the West to impose its own “rules-based order.” They emphasise that Russia remains a great power whose participation is indispensable in resolving global challenges – whether climate change, cybersecurity, or strategic stability.
Information for Russian Citizens in Ghana
For Russian nationals residing in Ghana, a polling station will be set up at the Russian Embassy, located at Accra, Cantonments, Jawaharlal Nehru Road/Switchback Line, P.O. Box 1634.
Voting will take place on September 20, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.