MOSCOW, September 20. /TASS/. Russian citizens understand that by participating in the State Duma elections, they are deciding their children's future, and they do so both responsibly and freely, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the Vesti news broadcast.

"People know that they are voting for their destiny, for their country, and for their children's future, and they do so responsibly and freely," the diplomat noted.

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma is underway on September 18-20. For the first time ever, residents of the recently incorporated Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, will participate in legislative elections for the lower house of the Russian parliament. A total of ten parties are taking part in the election: United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party of the Russian Federation (LDPR), New People, A Just Russia - For Truth, the Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, the Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Party of Direct Democracy, as well as the Greens Ecological Party.

Elections for regional legislative bodies are also being held in 39 Russian constituent entities, alongside elections for regional leaders. In eight regions, the leaders are being elected directly, while in three regions, they are being chosen by the regional parliaments. A total of 23,000 seats are to be filled.