Voters across Russia headed to the polls Sunday to elect local and regional lawmakers against the backdrop of mass protests in Moscow and public anger over more than five years of falling incomes.
Perhaps in a move to encourage more citizens to vote, many polling places featured live entertainment and other enticements, ranging from colorfully costumed dancers to free caviar.
Here's a look at some of the most unique election day celebrations — from the bleak to the funny to the bizarre and beyond:
Nothing makes you want to partake in democracy like this sun's lackadaisical swaying to a Russian disco beat outside a Moscow polling station.
Are Moomins legally allowed to vote?
This poor accordion player performs for an audience of none.
Boosting voter turnout never seemed so simple.
The new sequel to "It" looks weird.
In the Sakhalin region of Russia's Far East, voters were lured to the polls with 5,000 free caviar sandwiches.
"Steampunk hockey-playing vikings": The unofficial uniform of Novosibirsk election workers.
All the world's a stage — including the Moscow City Duma elections.
In the absence of caviar to lure voters in, serve a bit of the working man's meal.
This group of traditionally dressed performers took their show on the road, visiting four polling stations in a village in the Krasnodar region throughout the day.
When you're too young to vote, but not too young to sing at a polling station.
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