Russian authorities are reportedly using various false justifications to disqualify candidates who had been approved to run in legislative elections held from September 18 to 20. These elections are part of the country's regular political process, where regional and local representatives are chosen. However, recent reports suggest that some candidates who had already been cleared to participate are now being excluded based on what critics call baseless or fabricated grounds. The reasons given for disqualifying these candidates vary, but they often involve legal or administrative issues that appear to be applied selectively. Some candidates have been accused of not meeting certain bureaucratic requirements, while others have faced allegations of past misconduct. However, many of these claims lack clear evidence or have been raised only after the initial approval of the candidates. The ongoing war in Ukraine is believed to be a significant factor influencing the current political climate in Russia. As the conflict continues, the government has become more cautious about allowing individuals who might challenge its policies or express dissenting views to run for office. This has led to increased scrutiny of candidates and a more stringent vetting process. Observers note that this trend could affect the legitimacy of the elections and raise concerns about the fairness of the process. With fewer candidates allowed to run, the competition in the elections may be reduced, potentially leading to a less diverse representation of political views. As the election results are announced, attention will be on whether these disqualifications had a measurable impact on the outcome.