Russians vote in three-day parliamentary elections across 11 regions

Polling stations opened across Russia on Friday for elections to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, with voting scheduled to continue through Sunday. Russians are also casting ballots in local elections held alongside the parliamentary vote. Voters in 11 regions will elect governors, while 39 regions will elect members of regional legislatures.

The voting is spread over three days in an effort to boost turnout among the 111 million eligible voters. Authorities are presenting the election as an opportunity for voters to have their say.

The elections are taking place as Russians face a slowing economy and Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and warehouses located far from the front line. United Russia, the governing party that backs President Vladimir Putin, is expected to keep its dominant position in the Duma, according to Al Jazeera.

According to Mehr News, the vote covers both the State Duma and a range of local races, with the three-day format intended to encourage participation across the country.