Putin’s Party Expected to Win as Russians Vote in Election With No Real Opposition

Russians are voting to elect a new State Duma, the lower house of parliament. The three-day vote began on Friday, and results are expected after polls close on Sunday. The election has no meaningful competition. President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party is expected to keep its grip on parliament, which it has held for 23 years. A liberal anti-war party was barred from the ballot. The remaining parties are nominal opposition groups that reliably vote with the Kremlin on important issues. There is little doubt about the result.