The main day of elections to the state Duma is held in Russia, in Belarus, Russians can vote in 7 cities

In Russia today, September 20, is the main day of parliamentary elections. In 2026, voting is organized over three days. In the first two days, the turnout was almost 45%. Belta writes about it.

Russians elect the State Duma of the ninth convocation. Of the 450 seats of deputies, half are elected according to party lists, another 225 are elected in single-member constituencies. 10 parties are fighting for votes in the federal district. These are United Russia, LDPR, the Party of Direct Democracy, Greens, Fair Russia, Homeland, the Communist Party of Pensioners, Communists of Russia and New People. To enter the State Duma, parties need to gain at least 5% of the vote. In single-mandate districts, the candidate who received more votes than his rivals will win.

More than 1.1 thousand international observers from 133 countries, as well as from the CIS, SCO, CSTO and a number of other structures follow the voting process. Representatives of Belarus – members of the Council of the Republic, deputies of the House of Representatives, diplomats, most of whom are included in the mission from the CIS. According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus, the Chairman of the CEC Igor Karpenko is also in Moscow.

In addition to the deputies of the state Duma in the framework of the Single voting day elected heads of regions — Mordovia, Tuva, Chechnya, Belgorod, Bryansk, Penza, Tver and Ulyanovsk regions, legislative assemblies of 39 subjects of Russia, as well as local authorities. In accordance with the updated legislation, citizens of Belarus permanently residing in Russia for the first time received the right to fully participate in local elections.

At the same time, Russian citizens permanently residing or temporarily staying in Belarus can vote today in 7 cities at polling stations at Russian diplomatic missions in Belarus. Polling stations are open until 20:00 in Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev, Bobruisk, where Russian citizens can vote for candidates to the State Duma on federal lists.