2021 Russian legislative election
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| 2021 Russian legislative election | |
|---|---|
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| Election name | 2021 Russian legislative election |
| Country | Russia |
| Type | legislative |
| Previous election | 2016 Russian legislative election |
| Previous year | 2016 |
| Next election | 2026 Russian legislative election |
| Next year | 2026 |
| Seats for election | All 450 seats in the State Duma |
| Majority seats | 226 |
| Election date | 17–19 September 2021 |
| Turnout | 51.7% |
| Leader1 | Vladimir Putin |
| Party1 | United Russia |
| Leaders seat1 | Did not run |
| Last election1 | 343 seats, 54.2% |
| Seats1 | 324 |
| Seat change1 | −19 |
| Popular vote1 | 28,064,200 |
| Percentage1 | 49.82% |
| Swing1 | −4.38% |
| Leader2 | Gennady Zyuganov |
| Party2 | Communist Party of the Russian Federation |
| Leaders seat2 | Tambov Oblast |
| Last election2 | 42 seats, 13.34% |
| Seats2 | 57 |
| Seat change2 | +15 |
| Popular vote2 | 10,660,669 |
| Percentage2 | 18.93% |
| Swing2 | +5.59% |
| Leader3 | Vladimir Zhirinovsky |
| Party3 | Liberal Democratic Party of Russia |
| Leaders seat3 | Karachay-Cherkessia |
| Last election3 | 39 seats, 13.14% |
| Seats3 | 21 |
| Seat change3 | −18 |
| Popular vote3 | 4,252,252 |
| Percentage3 | 7.55% |
| Swing3 | −5.59% |
| Image4 | 150px |
| Leader4 | Sergey Mironov |
| Party4 | A Just Russia — For Truth |
| Leaders seat4 | Republic of North Ossetia–Alania |
| Last election4 | 23 seats, 6.22% |
| Seats4 | 27 |
| Seat change4 | +4 |
| Popular vote4 | 4,201,744 |
| Percentage4 | 7.46% |
| Swing4 | +1.24% |
| Title | Prime Minister |
| Before election | Mikhail Mishustin |
| Before party | United Russia |
| After election | Mikhail Mishustin |
| After party | United Russia |
2021 Russian legislative election were held from 17 to 19 September to elect the 450 members of the State Duma, the lower house of the Federal Assembly of Russia. The elections took place amid a backdrop of significant domestic political tension, with the Kremlin seeking to maintain the dominance of the ruling United Russia party. Despite securing a constitutional majority, the official results were widely contested by opposition figures and independent observers, who alleged widespread electoral irregularities.
Background
The political climate preceding the elections was marked by a sustained crackdown on opposition activity following the 2011–2013 Russian protests. Key opposition leader Alexei Navalny was imprisoned earlier in the year after his return to Moscow and the subsequent designation of his organizations as extremist. The 2020 amendments to the Constitution of Russia, which reset presidential term limits, had already consolidated the political system under Vladimir Putin. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia influenced logistical planning and provided a rationale for extending the voting period to three days.
Electoral system
The 450 deputies were elected through a mixed electoral system. Half (225) were elected from single-member constituencies using First-past-the-post voting. The other half were elected through a party-list proportional representation system from a single nationwide constituency, with a 5% electoral threshold. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, chaired by Ella Pamfilova, oversaw the process. The elections also included contests for the heads of several Federal subjects of Russia, such as the Head of the Republic of Karelia.
Parties and candidates
Fourteen parties were registered to contest the party-list vote. The dominant force was the ruling United Russia party, though many of its candidates ran as nominal independents. The traditional "systemic opposition" parties—the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (led by Gennady Zyuganov), the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (led by Vladimir Zhirinovsky), and the newly merged A Just Russia — For Truth (led by Sergey Mironov)—were all permitted to run. Notable exclusions included the People's Freedom Party and candidates associated with Alexei Navalny's Smart Voting initiative, many of whom were barred by authorities.
Campaign
The official campaign period was characterized by limited public debate and heavy state media coverage favoring United Russia. The party's messaging focused on stability, social support programs, and the leadership of Vladimir Putin, who was not a candidate but headlined its list. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation campaigned on socio-economic issues, criticizing the government's handling of the pandemic and pensions. Navalny's Smart Voting strategy, which aimed to consolidate anti-United Russia votes behind the strongest opposition candidate in each district, was a significant, though suppressed, feature of the campaign.
Conduct and controversies
The election's conduct was marred by numerous allegations of fraud and coercion. Independent observers from Golos reported widespread violations including carousel voting, ballot stuffing, and improper pressure on state-dependent workers. The extended three-day voting period and widespread use of electronic voting in Moscow and some other regions were criticized for lacking transparency. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe declined to send an observation mission, citing restrictions imposed by Russian authorities. Preliminary results from Moscow's e-voting system showed dramatic, last-minute shifts in favor of United Russia candidates.
Results
United Russia won 49.8% of the party-list vote, securing 324 seats and maintaining its constitutional majority in the State Duma, though its vote share declined. The Communist Party of the Russian Federation finished second with 18.9% and 57 seats, making significant gains. The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (7.6%, 21 seats) and A Just Russia — For Truth (7.5%, 27 seats) also crossed the threshold. The New People party, led by Alexey Nechayev, entered the Duma for the first time with 5.3% and 13 seats. Voter turnout was officially recorded at 51.7%.
Aftermath
The official results were immediately rejected by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and other opposition groups, who staged protests in cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation dismissed all complaints. The new State Duma, with Vyacheslav Volodin re-elected as Chairman of the State Duma, the Russian Federation, and the Russian Federation Council of the Russian Federation of Russia, and the Russian Federation of the Russian Federation Federation Federation Federation the Russian Federation Federation Federation Federation the Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation| Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation of Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation Federation