ISLAMABAD, Sep 20: A total of 130 Russian citizens residing in or temporarily staying in Pakistan cast their votes at the Russian Embassy in Islamabad during the 2026 elections for deputies to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Parliament.A polling station was established at the Embassy on September 20 to facilitate Russian citizens in exercising their constitutional right to vote. Embassy and Trade Mission officials, their family members, and other Russian citizens living in or visiting Pakistan participated in the voting.
Two observers appointed by the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation monitored the polling process and reported that voting proceeded smoothly and in accordance with established procedures, with no violations observed.Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev, who also chaired the Precinct Election Commission, said the Embassy, in coordination with Pakistani authorities, had taken additional measures to facilitate voters amid traffic restrictions in Islamabad.He said Russian citizens in Islamabad and surrounding areas were provided with information about the arrangements and convenient transportation to the polling station.Observer Olga Starkova commended the efficient work of the election commission, saying no violations of established voting procedures were identified.Another observer, Natalia Zhilina, said the voting process remained calm and all necessary procedures were duly followed, while appreciating the responsible approach of both organizers and voters.
The Russian Embassy thanked all citizens who participated in the parliamentary elections and exercised their constitutional right to vote.In the 2026 State Duma elections, 450 seats were contested, with 225 seats elected through federal party lists and 225 through single-member constituencies. Ten political parties were included on the federal party-list ballot.According to Russia’s Central Election Commission, voter turnout stood at approximately 56.6% by 9:00 p.m. Moscow time on September 20, higher than the turnout recorded in the previous State Duma election. Russian citizens were also able to vote remotely through the official online voting portal.
