Vladimir Volkov was the Head of the Republic of Mordovia since 2012, but he is a fixture in Mordovian politics after serving as Prime Minister of Mordovia in 1995–2012 under Nikolay Merkushkin. Volkov won his latest and only election in 2017 with 89.19% of the vote.[2] On 18 November 2020 Vladimir Volkov asked Russian President Vladimir Putin about his retirement, and Putin appointed Artyom Zdunov as acting Head of Mordovia.[3] Zdunov, an ethnic Mordvin, previously served as Prime Minister of Dagestan in 2018–2020 and Minister of Economy of Tatarstan in 2014–2018.[4] Under Merkushkin and VolkovMordovia was considered an "electoral sultanate" - a Russian region with high administrative control over voting process which results in consistent support for ruling United Russia, so the September head election is characterised as uncompetitive and predictable.[5]
Only political parties can nominate candidates for head election in Mordovia, self-nomination is not possible. However, candidate is not obliged to be a member of the nominating party. Candidate for Head of the Republic of Mordovia should be a Russian citizen and at least 30 years old. Candidates for Head should not have a foreign citizenship or residence permit. Each candidate in order to be registered is required to collect at least 7% of signatures of members and heads of municipalities (184–193 signatures).[6] Also gubernatorial candidates present 3 candidacies to the Federation Council and election winner later appoints one of the presented candidates.
