Moscow, September 18 (QNA) - Polls opened today in Russia for the ninth convocation of the State Duma.

The process spans through September 20, marking the first legislative elections held in the country since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Polling stations opened first in Russia's Far East before voting gradually extended across the country's various time zones. Voters are electing 450 members to the State Duma; the lower house of the Russian parliament.

The elections are conducted under a mixed system: 225 deputies are elected via federal party lists, while another 225 are elected in single-mandate constituencies.

Contesting the elections alongside the ruling "United Russia" party are several other parties, including the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party, "A Just Russia – For Truth," and the "New People" party.

In August, the Russian Supreme Court disqualified the federal list of the "Yabloko" party, which opposes the war in Ukraine, from the elections, nevertheless some of its candidates are running in single-mandate constituencies.

Russian President Vladimir Putin cast his vote electronically, according to the Kremlin, having urged citizens on the eve of the vote to participate in the elections, describing them as a significant event in the country's domestic political life.

Chairperson of the Russian Central Election Commission, Ella Pamfilova stated that 1,126 election observers and experts from 133 countries, along with representatives from 13 international organizations, are participating in monitoring the elections.

She added that more than 380,000 observers, representing candidates; political parties; and civic chambers, are monitoring the voting process within the country, while regional and local elections are also being held concurrently with the State Duma elections.

The elections coincide with the ongoing war in Ukraine and an escalation of mutual drone attacks.

The elections also extend to Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, a move rejected by Kyiv and a number of other nations that do not recognize Moscow's annexation of these territories.

In the previous State Duma elections held in 2021, the United Russia party secured more than two-thirds of the chamber's seats.

Preliminary results are expected to emerge after polling stations close this coming Sunday, with the Central Election Commission announcing the results progressively as votes are tallied. (QNA)