Council of Europe body slams 'fake' Russia vote

Russia is staging a "fake election that will produce a fake parliament", a group of European politicians and exiled Russian activists at Europe's leading human rights watchdog have said.

Russians are voting (from today until Sunday) in a tightly controlled election expected to see President Vladimir Putin tighten his grip on power even further after 26 years in power.

It is the country's first parliamentary election since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has also organised voting in occupied Ukraine.

The polls are "fake 'elections' that will produce a fake parliament," said the Platform for Dialogue with Russian Democratic Forces of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

"The incoming State Duma must not be recognised as democratically elected or as the legitimate representative of the Russian people."