Elections for the Duma in Russia start tomorrow. After decades in power, experts notice profound differences from previous Duma elections:
- Record number of opposition candidates are in jail or exile.
- Opposition groups are allying and encouraging members to engage in Smart Voting to win seats.
- United Russia is polling at it's lowest levels.
BBC: Russia election: Opposition crushed ahead of managed polls
"Together we choose!" declare the election posters around Moscow.
The slogan is punchy. But it's misleading. Critics say that, in today's Russia, it is the authorities who choose - who's on the ballot, and who's not.
"Our elections are like a puppet theatre," believes sociologist Vladislav Inozemtsev. "Many independent candidates have not been allowed to run."
The list of politicians and activists excluded from these parliamentary and local elections reads like a Who's Who of the Russian opposition.
"Alexei Navalny is in prison and all his team are off the ballot; [opposition politicians] Ilya Yashin and Lev Schlossberg are barred, too," explains former MP Dmitry Gudkov. Earlier this year Mr Gudkov himself announced plans to run again for parliament. Police raided his flat and the homes of family members; he and his aunt were detained.
"My father was sent a message," Dmitry Gudkov tells me. "The message was that if I stay in Russia, my aunt and I will be sent to jail. They were going to use my aunt as a hostage."
Dmitry left Russia for Bulgaria.
"Putin's popularity is going down. The authorities don't want any independent MPs in parliament. That's why they get rid of all prominent opposition leaders. The security services, the police and prosecutors are the key to providing victory for Putin's forces."