International Elections Monitoring Desk Islamabad
Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Albert P. Khorev has said, voting at the polling station at the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan has successfully concluded in the elections of deputies to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the ninth convocation.
Sharing his views with TASS News Agency Following the Voting held at the Embassy on September 20, 2026, the Ambassador said; Observers from the Civic Chamber of Russia present at the polling station noted that voting was conducted in full compliance with the established procedures, with no violations identified.
A total of 130 people cast their ballots, including the leadership and staff of the Embassy and Trade Mission, their family members, as well as Russian citizens residing in or temporarily staying in Pakistan.
It should be noted that the voting took place amid a challenging social situation, with heightened protest activity and partial traffic restrictions in Islamabad.
The Embassy, in close coordination with the Pakistani authorities, took additional measures to inform Russian citizens and arranged convenient transportation to the polling station. All necessary conditions were created to enable Russian citizens residing in Islamabad and the surrounding areas to cast their ballots.
Polling Station No. 8250 at the Russian Embassy in Pakistan was set up for polling.
130 people who have cast their ballots, included the heads and staff of the Embassy and the Trade Mission, their family members, as well as Russian citizens residing in or temporarily staying in Pakistan.
Two observers appointed by the Civic Chamber of Russia were present at the polling station and reported that voting went smoothly.
The Chair of the Precinct Election Commission, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, spoke about the arrangements made for voters:
“Given the traffic restrictions currently in place in Islamabad, the Embassy, in close coordination with the Pakistani authorities, took additional steps to notify Russian citizens and provided convenient transportation to the polling station. Every effort was made to ensure that Russian citizens living in Islamabad and the surrounding areas could exercise their right to vote.”
Olga Starkova, observer from the Civic Chamber:
“I would like to commend the efficient work of the election commission at the Russian Embassy in Islamabad. No violations of voting procedures were identified.”
Natalia Zhilina, observer from the Civic Chamber:
“Voting proceeded calmly, with all the necessary procedures duly followed. It is worth noting the responsible attitude demonstrated by both the organizers and the voters.”
Ambassador thanked all Russian citizens who exercised their right to vote in the elections demonstrating a strong sense of civic responsibility.
The Embassy of Russia in Pakistan provided Russian citizens residing in or temporarily staying in Pakistan with an opportunity to exercise their right to vote in the elections of deputies to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament.
President Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party secured a landslide victory in Russia’s 2026 State Duma elections, winning a record 355 of the 450 seats and capturing roughly 57.83% of the party-list vote.
According to preliminary near-complete results announced by the Russian Central Election Commission following the September 18–20, 2026 voting, this outcome expands United Russia’s constitutional supermajority beyond its previous 2016 record of 343 seats. Official voter turnout was reported at approximately 59.32%.
Election Overview and Turnout
Dates Held: September 18 to 20, 2026 (three-day voting format)
Total Seats: 450 seats in the State Duma (lower house of parliament)
Voter Turnout: 59.32% (up from 51.72% in the 2021 legislative elections)
Context: The election marked Russia’s first parliamentary poll since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, taking place amid heightened security measures and major drone attacks.
| Political Party | Vote Share (Party-List) | Projected Seats (Total) |
|---|---|---|
| United Russia | 57.83% | 355 |
| Communist Party (KPRF) | 13.81% | 40 |
| Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR) | 8.98% | 25 |
| New People | 7.96% | 20 |
| A Just Russia | 4.96% | Single-digit/low representation |
Constitutional Supermajority: Holding 355 seats gives United Russia nearly 80% of the parliament, allowing the party to pass laws and initiate constitutional changes independently without forming legislative coalitions.
Systemic Opposition Shifts: The Communist Party retained second place despite a drop in vote share compared to 2021, while the nationalist LDPR and New People factions registered modest gains. Anti-war alternative parties like Yabloko were barred from the federal party lists, though Yabloko managed to clear thresholds in isolated regional races like Novgorod.
International and Opposition Response: Exile opposition groups and Western officials, including representatives from the European Union, criticized the election environment as heavily restricted and illegitimate due to the exclusion of independent candidates and the absence of independent OSCE observers. Conversely, Kremlin representatives hailed the results as a sign of national unity and stability under wartime conditions.
