Russia United candidates contest as independents in Moscow polls

Ratings for the party which was founded soon after Vladimir Putin became president in 1999 dropped 11 percent to 28 percent last year after the retirement age was increased, a move that led to nationwide protests.

When voters in Moscow head to the polls in the city election on Sunday, their ballot papers won’t show a single candidate running on the ticket of President Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party.

Instead, they will be contesting as independent candidates.

The move comes on the back of declining popularity for United Russia and large protests against a ban blocking some opposition politicians from running.

Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen reports.