Russians cast their votes for the Duma polls in the Kerala capital

Keralam resident Russian nationals and tourists cast their votes in the state capital ahead of Saturday’s Russian parliamentary elections.

Elections to the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, take place from September 18 to 20.

As part of measures by embassies and consulates around the world to allow Russians around the world to cast their vote, a polling station was set up at the Russian Honorary Consulate here as well.

Alexander Fomin, Deputy Consul General, Chennai; Ratheesh Nair, Honorary Consul of Russia; and Anastasiia Pisennaia and Sergei Kliukin of the Chennai Consulate led the arrangements.

Voting for Russian nationals working at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant will be held on Sunday.

Mr. Ratheesh Nair said that since its opening in Thiruvananthapuram in 2008, the Russian Honorary Consulate has ensured casting of votes for both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Usually, the number of voters for presidential elections was higher. Moreover, since they were held in March, there were a number of tourists among the voters. However, the conflict in West Asia led to a decline in the number of visitors from Russia. Online voting options are also available. Despite this, around 10 voters turned up to cast their vote, said Mr. Ratheesh Nair.

Published – 12 Sep 2026 22:13 IST