Russian Embassy in Laos Hosts Overseas Voting Amidst Political Tensions

The Russian Embassy in Laos has established an overseas polling station for Russian citizens as part of Russia’s 2026 election cycle. This voting is for the election of deputies to the 9th convocation of the State Duma, as well as regional and local elections. Voting is being conducted from September 18 to 20, both across Russia and at designated overseas polling stations. Russian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Sergei Zhestkii, stated that Russian citizens abroad should have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote, and supporting overseas voting is an important responsibility of Russian diplomatic missions and consular offices. Russian nationals in Laos include official representatives and their family members, as well as tourists and business travelers. According to the Ambassador, more than 1,000 Russian citizens visited Laos in the first half of 2026, with some remaining in the country during the election period. The polling station was set up at the Russian Embassy in Vientiane to enable eligible voters in Laos to cast their ballots. Russian diplomatic missions have made similar voting arrangements in numerous countries for citizens who are outside Russia during the election period. Ambassador Zhestkii also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Lao PDR and the Ministry of Public Security for supporting security and public order during the organization of the election. "During the organization of the elections in your country, we undoubtedly feel safe among true friends," Ambassador Zhestkii said, highlighting the importance of continued cooperation and support from the Lao side. The election marks the first nationwide parliamentary vote since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The participation of voters in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine and the broader conduct of the election have been subjects of international dispute, while Russian authorities maintain that the election is being conducted in accordance with Russian law. Laos continues to face a severe legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO), with an estimated 80 million unexploded cluster submunitions remaining across the country decades after the Indochina War, according to the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) for the UXO/AXO Sector. Laos is also looking to turn its growing economic links with China and ASEAN into new opportunities for trade, investment, and regional connectivity as the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area enters a new phase under CAFTA 3.0. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed for the feasibility study, survey, design, construction and maintenance of a 75.212-kilometre section of National Road 13 South from Km 35 to the Xebangnouan Bridge at the Saravane provincial border in Savannakhet Province. Information Source: KPL Laos News