Putin's United Russia secures record parliamentary majority amid high voter turnout
Preliminary results show United Russia winning a historic number of seats in the State Duma, with turnout exceeding 60 percent.
Preliminary data released on September 21 reveal United Russia poised to claim a record-size faction in the State Duma, potentially holding 355 of the 450 seats after winning 208 of the 225 single-member constituencies. Voter participation rose to more than 62 million, surpassing previous elections. Electronic voting was used in 32 regions and Moscow, delivering roughly 3.6 million votes in the federal system and an additional 3.4 million in the capital, though United Russia's share in the electronic pool was under 50 percent.
International monitoring was absent, and domestic observer groups presented conflicting reports on ballot access and procedural irregularities. The new Duma will likely give the Kremlin a near-total legislative edge, reinforcing its war-time agenda and enabling swift passage of future policies.
Why it matters
The election gives Putin's party unprecedented legislative power, shaping Russia's domestic and foreign policy for the next five years.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Russia conducts tightly-controlled parliamentary vote amid fifth year of Ukraine war
- Sep 16 Voting has begun, moving the election from planning to execution.
- Sep 19 Putin framed the election as a plebiscite on the war and called on citizens to turn out in support.
- Sep 19 State pollster VTsIOM said Putin’s trust rating hit 74.2% in the week before the election.
- Sep 21 Election commission chair Ella Pamfilova said preliminary results will be announced Monday at 11 hours (10 hours in Paris).
- Sep 21 Partial results show United Russia holding at least 338 of the 450 Duma seats.
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