As Russia holds parliamentary elections from 18 to 20 September, two smaller communist parties have rejected the electoral process, arguing that it offers no genuine alternative to the policies of the ruling capitalist class and the ongoing imperialist war in Ukraine.

The Organization of Communists and the Russian Communist Party (Internationalists), both of which emerged from a split in the Russian Communist Workers’ Party over its support for Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, are not participating in the elections.

Unlike the parliamentary Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), both organizations oppose the imperialist war and reject the political course of the Russian government.

In a statement issued on 10 September, the Organization of Communists denounced the electoral process as taking place amid mounting economic difficulties, political repression and restrictions on anti-war activity. It accused the ruling class of directing growing resources toward the war while working people face deteriorating living standards and shrinking democratic freedoms.

The organization has called for abstention, arguing that neither voting for the CPRF nor casting a protest ballot can alter the government’s political and economic course. Instead, it emphasizes the need for independent working-class organization and daily struggles to defend workers’ rights.

The Russian Communist Party (Internationalists) has adopted a different electoral tactic. Through its campaign “Vote Against All!”, it calls for protest ballots to be declared invalid, presenting this as a way to register opposition to the government, the war and the political parties participating in the election. The party argues that invalid ballots, which are counted separately in the official results, can provide a visible indication of popular dissent.

Despite their different approaches to the ballot box, both organizations reject support for the participating parties and maintain that the interests of Russia’s working class cannot be represented through the existing parliamentary alternatives. Their positions stand in contrast to that of the CPRF, which continues to support Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

IN DEFENSE OF COMMUNISM ©

From In Defense of Communism via This RSS Feed.