Viktor ZiminMikhail Razvozhayev (acting) United Russia Valentin Konovalov

For the first time in Russia since 1997, other candidates did not participate in the runoff, leading to a rarely used “in favour” and “against” choice.

[2] The election process dictated that law the third placed candidate, Andrey Filyagin, nominated by A Just Russia, should be included but he also withdrew his candidacy on 2 October.

[4] The withdrawals were described as part of a coordinated effort by the political establishment to prevent Konovalov from winning, as it was considered easier to defeat him with “in favour” and “against” options rather than via a choice between him and another candidate.

[5] On 3 October 2018, upon the expiration of Zimin’s term, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Mikhail Razvozhayev as the acting Head of the Republic to serve until the second round could be conducted.