Dubai hosts Russia’s Parliamentary Elections as nearly 1,800 Russians vote

On September 20, Russian citizens living or staying in the United Arab Emirates had the opportunity to take part in Russia’s parliamentary elections. In Dubai, voting was held at Polling Station No. 8248 at Al Manara Centre on Sheikh Zayed Road. According to the Consulate General of Russia in Dubai, nearly 1,800 people exercised their right to vote there.

The polling station was open from 8am to 8pm. Two polling stations were organised across the UAE, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. To vote, citizens were required to appear in person and present a valid Russian international passport.

For the Russian community, a significant part of which lives and works in the UAE on a permanent basis, the election was more than a formal procedure. It also provided an opportunity to meet fellow members of the community and maintain a connection with Russia’s civic life. As H.E. Maxim Vladimirov, Consul General of Russia in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, has noted, maintaining this connection is among the Consulate’s important priorities. “We want Russians to maintain their connection with their homeland,” the diplomat said.

A Calm and Welcoming Atmosphere

Throughout the day, the polling station had a calm and welcoming atmosphere. People arrived with their families, met friends and acquaintances, and spoke with other members of the Russian community. In this sense, election day also took on a distinct social dimension, an opportunity to reconnect, exchange news and spend time together.

Visitors were also treated to a selection of tasty Russian snacks provided by Pechka restaurant in Dubai, a partner of the Consulate General of Russia. The traditional treats added a warm and familiar touch to the day, complementing the official nature of the event and creating an even more welcoming setting for interaction.

Voting Abroad

The figure of nearly 1,800 refers specifically to those who voted at the Dubai polling station and does not represent the total size of the Russian community in the emirate.

Organising polling stations abroad enables Russian citizens living or staying outside the country to participate in the electoral process. For the Russian community in the UAE, the election also became a notable occasion that brought people together around a shared civic process.

More broadly, the Consulate’s work with the Russian community extends beyond consular services to include cultural, educational and social ties. Maxim Vladimirov has previously emphasised the importance of strengthening connections within the Russian community in the UAE through language, traditions, culture and joint initiatives.

Election day in Dubai passed in a calm and welcoming atmosphere, bringing together the formal electoral process with an opportunity for members of the Russian community to meet and connect.

Every voice reflects a personal choice — and a civic responsibility.