Duma Elections in Nizhny Novgorod 2025: How They Will Take Place and What You Need to Know

      In September 2025, elections for the first convocation of the City Duma will be held in Nizhny Novgorod. Polling stations will be open for three days: September 12, 13, and 14, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Voting will be available only in person, using paper ballots. Remote voting is not provided this year.

      How to vote?

      Each voter must present their passport. On the ballot, they need to mark one candidate by placing any mark in the square to the right of the surname. The completed ballot should be placed in a transparent box face down or folded to preserve the secrecy of the vote.

      If a voter makes a mistake while filling out the ballot, they can obtain a new one by contacting a member of the precinct election commission before the spoiled ballot is deposited into the box. Such a ballot is canceled and not included in the vote count.

      A ballot is considered invalid if no marks are made or if more than one candidate is marked. Invalid ballots are counted separately and do not affect the election results.

      Special attention is given to ensuring accessibility for citizens with disabilities. According to the latest data, about 10% of voters in the Volga capital have health limitations. To accommodate them, polling stations will be equipped with ramps, call buttons, and tactile guides. Visually impaired individuals will be provided with magnifying glasses, large-print materials, and Braille. For the hearing impaired, sign language interpretation via video recording will be organized on September 14.

      Voting can also take place outside the polling station – at home. To do so, voters must submit an application indicating their full name, address, and the reason for inability to be physically present at the polling station. Applications can be submitted in person, by phone, through the precinct election commission, or via the "Gosuslugi" portal. Home voting will take place on the same dates as the main voting.

      To use this option, applicants can submit an application through the "Gosuslugi" portal’s Personal Account starting from September 4 until 11:59 PM Moscow time on September 10, 2025.

      Alternatively, applications can be submitted in writing or by phone to the precinct election commission from September 4, 2025, until 2:00 PM on September 14, 2025.

      Which parties are participating in the elections?

      The candidate lists have been formed by eight political parties: "United Russia," LDPR, CPRF, "Rodina," "New People," "Fair Russia – The Patriots – For Truth," "Russian Party of Pensioners for Social Justice," and "Yabloko." The registration process ended on July 30.

      As of August 4, 2025, 1,412 individuals have submitted documents to participate in the election. The vast majority are representatives of political parties, totaling 1,347 candidates. The remaining 65 are running as self-nominated candidates.

      Of the total nominated candidates, 1,018 are already registered. The rest are still undergoing the necessary procedures.

      District election commissions are required to decide on the registration or refusal of each candidate within 10 days. Thus, the deadline for completing this process is August 8.

      Active voter information campaigns are being conducted by the election commission. Voters can find their polling station on the websites of the Central Election Commission (CEC), regional election commissions, and on the "Gosuslugi" portal. Information about voting is also published in media, at bus stops, in public transport, elevators, on outdoor banners, and on the election commission’s social media pages.

      Within the "InformUIK" project, precinct commission members will visit homes to inform residents about the voting location, time, and procedures. It is important to note that this is purely informational outreach about the upcoming elections, not election campaigning for candidates.

      A procurement plan for goods, services, and works related to the preparation and conduct of the first convocation of the Nizhny Novgorod City Duma elections has been approved by the Nizhny Novgorod Region Election Commission.

      How is work with young voters organized?

      Special attention is given to youth. Various events are being held to attract young voters.

      Main activities include conducting training seminars and round tables, organizing games and contests, disseminating explanations of electoral legislation via media, internet, publishing informational and methodological materials, and exhibition activities.

      Additionally, election commission members have frequently held outreach seminars at educational institutions in Nizhny Novgorod to inform young residents about the upcoming elections. The main goal is to demonstrate that participating in elections is important, modern, and interesting.

      For the first time during the Unified Voting Day, more than 33,000 people across the entire Nizhny Novgorod region will be able to vote, including about 19,000 first-time voters in Nizhny Novgorod itself. Voters will receive commemorative souvenirs on Election Day. The election commission hopes for high youth turnout on this day.

      Earlier, Nizhny Novgorod approved an updated scheme of electoral districts, which will be used in the upcoming City Duma elections.

      According to the new scheme, the total number of electoral districts has increased from 35 to 39. The main reason for this change was the inclusion of the Kstovsky district into the city of Nizhny Novgorod.

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