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Author : V. Churov
Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation
The electoral system in the Russian Federation is
going through a period of great stability. Since the
current Russian Constitution was adopted in 1993,
early presidential elections were held only once,
slightly ahead of time. This happened in 2000. All
other elections, both parliamentary and presidential,
took place on the dates set down by the Constitu-
tion.
Today, we are entering a new electoral cycle. This is the last time, at least in the coming ten
years, that the two election campaigns virtually coincide.
About 400 polling stations will be opened abroad. During the last elections, we opened
polling stations in 141 countries. Russians with electoral rights (i.e. those with Russian pass-
ports and age 18 or older) live in at least 141 countries.
We strive to inform our voters about new possibilities and polling stations. This year will
be marked by a novelty. In a number of countries including Germany, Israel, Poland, and
maybe others, polling stations will be equipped with electronic voting booths. In other
words, paper ballots will be replaced by electronic ballots.
It's fairly complicated to organize ads and electoral coverage for our citizens abroad. First
of all, certain countries do not allow foreign political ads. Moreover, our law does not per-
mit parties to accept services free of charge. For example, a foreign newspaper may come
and offer a party that it will publish information on its candidates free of charge. Yet, by
Russian law, it's forbidden to accept the services of foreign sponsors. This may give rise
to problems. In such cases, Internet and TV and radio channels can help to inform Russians
living abroad. They give very detailed information, including information about nominated
candidates. We will continue to help all political parties with nominated candidates to reach
voters living abroad.
In contrast to the USA, where these restrictions have recently been removed, we have a
ceiling on electoral spending.
The Russian Federation calls on both domestic observers and international observers. In
contrast to most European states, this is set down by law in our country. Observers may
be nominated by political parties or candidates. As a rule, there is one observer from every
party or candidate at a polling station. Yet there can be more. For example, a second ob-
server may follow voting at home and a third is present during vote counting.
The Stability of the Electoral System