Federal Law No. 67-FZ of June 12, 2002

"ON BASIC GUARANTEES OF ELECTORAL RIGHTS AND THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS

OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TO PARTICIPATE IN A REFERENDUM"

(as amended on September 27, December 24, 2002; June 23, July 4, 2003)

Adopted by the State Duma on May 22, 2002

Approved by the Federation Council on May 29, 2002

Democratic free and periodical elections of bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, as well as referendums shall be the supreme direct expression of power that belongs to the people. The state shall guarantee the free expression of citizens' will at elections and referendums, the protection of democratic principles and norms of the electoral rights rights and the right to participate in a referendum.

Chapter I. General Provisions

Article 1. Scope of This Federal Law

1. This Federal Law defines basic guarantees for implementation by the citizens of the Russian Federation of their constitutional right to participate at in elections and referendums held on the territory of the Russian Federation as provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, constitutions (charters), and laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, and charters of municipal entitiesmunicipalities.

2. This Federal Law shall be of direct action and shall applyies on the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

3. The federal constitutional laws, other federal laws, laws of subjects of the Russian Federation may set forth guarantees of electoral rights of citizens and the right to participate in a referendum supplementing the guarantees set forth in this Federal Law.

4. The issues related to announcing, preparing and conducting a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be regulated by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Federal Constitutional Law "On the Referendum of the Russian Federation," and this Federal Law.

5. The basic guarantees of electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum set forth by this Federal Law as well as additional guarantees set forth by other federal laws may beshall not be amended in no other wayotherwise than by making amendments and changes to the relevant laws.

6. Ffederal laws, constitutions (charters), laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, other regulatory acts on elections and referendums adopted in the Russian Federation shall not conflict with this Federal Law. Should a federal law, a constitution (charter), a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, a regulatory act on elections and/or referendums adopted in the Russian Federation conflict with this Federal Law, the provisions of this Federal Law shall apply.

Article 2. Core Main Terms and Concepts

For the purposes of this Federal Law, the terms and concepts used herein shall be construed as follows:

propaganda materials shall means printed, audio, video and other materials containing signsmeeting the criteria of election propaganda, propaganda on referendum issuesquestions designed for public dissemination during an election campaign or during a referendum campaign;
propaganda period shall means a period during which election propaganda or propaganda on referendum issuesquestions is allowed;
propaganda on referendum issuesquestions shall means activities during a referendum campaign that are aimed at encouraging or are encouraging prospective voters in a referendum to support the initiative of holding a referendum or withhold such support; to vote or refrain from voting at a referendum; to support or reject the question proposed for the referendum;
election propaganda (election campaign) shall means activities during an election campaign that are aimed at encouraging or are encouraging voters to vote for or against a candidate, certain candidates, a list of candidates , or against him /them; or against all candidates (against all lists of candidates);
address of place of residence shall means an address (name of the subject of the Russian Federation; name of the district, city, or other locality; name of the street; number of the building; and number of the apartment) at which a citizen is registered with the registration authorities at his temporary or permanent place of residence within the boundaries of the Russian Federation;
ballot means a ballot at an election or a ballot used for voting at a referendum;
referendum issue question (issuesquestions) shall means an issuea question (issuesquestions), a draft law or other draft regulation in relation to which a referendum is contemplated or conducted;
elective official means the President of the Russian Federation, the top executive of a subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation), or the head of a municipal entitymunicipality directly elected by citizens of the Russian Federation who reside on the territory of this municipal entitymunicipality;
an election shall means a form of direct expression of will by citizens that is effected in conformance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, constitutions (charters) and laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, charters of municipal entitiesmunicipalities for the purposes of forming a body of state power, a body of local self-government, or vesting an official awith powers uthorizing an official.
nomination of a candidate shall means self-nomination by a candidate, or an initiative of an electoral association or electoral bloc nominating a candidate for election into an electiveed body, or a candidate for an electiveed governmental or municipal office.
guarantees of the electoral rights and the right to participate in a referendum shall means conditions, rules, and procedures established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, a law or other regulatory acts and intended to assure implementation of electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation, and their right to participate in a referendum;
State Automated Information System shall means the State Automated Information System of the Russian Federation "Vybory" ["Elections"] ("GAS "Vybory");
deputy shall means a person elected by voters of the corresponding electoral district to a representative body of state power or to a body of local self-government on the basis of a universal, equal and direct suffrage with by secret ballot;
voluntary donation of a citizen means gratuitous creditingcontribution, by a Russian Federation citizen, of his own funds into a special electoral account of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, a special referendum account;
voluntary donation of a legal entity means gratuitous remittance by a legal entity of monetary funds from its settlement account to a special electoral account of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, a special referendum account;
document equivalent to the passport of a citizen shall means a document certifying the identity of a citizen, issued by an authorized body of the government. In the territory of the Russian Federation such documents are:

a serviceman's card, a temporary card issued in place of a serviceman's card, an identity card (for persons who are on military service);

a temporary identity card of a Russian Federation citizen issued in the procedure approved by the Government of the Russian Federation while the formalities for receipt of a passport are being completed;

a document certifying the identity of a Russian Federation citizen, on the basis of which a Russian Federation citizen enters the Russian Federation in accordance with the federal law which regulates the procedure for exiting from and entering the Russian Federation (for persons who permanently reside outside the Russian Federation);

a seaman's passport (identity card of a seaman);

a certificate of an established form, issued to citizens of the Russian Federation who are held in places where suspects and defendants are held in custody, in the procedure established by the Government of the Russian Federation.

For foreign nationals indicated in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Federal Law – a document certifying the right of a foreign national to permanent residence in the Russian Federation in accordance with the federal law which regulates the legal officeposition of foreign nationals in the Russian Federation.

Outside the Russian Federation the documents which substitute for the passport of a Russian Federation citizen are documents certifying the identity of a Russian Federation citizen, on the basis of which a Russian Federation citizen enters the Russian Federation, as well as other documents, on the basis of which citizens of the Russian Federation may stay on the territory of a foreign state in accordance with international treaties of the Russian Federation.

law means a federal constitutional law, a federal law, a law of a Russian Federation subject;
voter means a Russian Federation citizen who is entitled to an active electoral right;
election campaign means the activity aimed at the preparation and conduct of an election, which is carried out in the period from the day of official publication of the decision of an official, state body, body of local self-government authorized to do so to call (hold) an election to election of the day when the election commission which organizes the election presents a report on the expenditure of funds allocated from the appropriate budget for the preparation and conduct of the election;
election campaign of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc means the activity aimed at the achievement of a definite result at an election, which is carried out from the day of the nomination of a candidate, list of candidates to the day when the candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc or their authorized persons submit the final financial report;
election commission means a collective body formed in the procedure and within the time limits established by the law to organize and carry out the preparation and conduct of an election;
higher election commission means an election commission organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of an election, which is designated by the law as a higher election commission in respect of other election commissions carrying out the preparation and conduct of the same election;
lower election commission means an election commission organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of an election, which is designated by the law as a lower election commission in respect of other election commissions organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of the same election;
election commission organizing an election means an election commission charged by the law with directing the activity of all election commissions for the preparation and conduct of an election;
electoral association means a political party which has the right to participate at in an election under the federal law as well as a regional branch or some other structural division of a political party which has the right to participate at in an election of the appropriate level under the federal law. At an election to election of bodies of local self-government, other public associations are also electoral associations, if their statute provides for participation at in elections and if such public association is established in the form of a public organization or a public movement and is registered in accordance with the law at a level corresponding to the level of the election or at a higher level. Such public association or modifications or amendments to its statute providing for participation at in an election must be registered not later than one year before voting day or, when an election to election of a body of local self-government is called because of early termination of its powers, not later than six months before voting day. These time requirements do not apply to other modifications and amendments to the statute of a public association;
active electoral right ("active suffrage") means the right of a Russian Federation citizen to elect to bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government;
passive electoral right ("passive suffrage") means the right of a Russian Federation citizen to be elected to bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government;
electoral rights of citizens means the constitutional right of citizens of the Russian Federation to elect and be elected to bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government and the right to participate in nomination of candidates, lists of candidates, in election campaigning, in monitoring of the conduct of elections, the work of election commissions, including determination of vote returns and election results, in other electoral actions, in the procedure laid down by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, constitutions (charters) of Russian Federation subjects;
electoral bloc means a voluntary union of two and more electoral associations formed in the procedure established by law, a voluntary union of one of or several political parties which are electoral associations, with one of or several all-Russia public associations which meet the requirements of Clauses 4 and 5, Article 35 of this Federal Law. Not more than three electoral association and all-Russia public associations may join enter an electoral bloc;
electoral district means a territory formed (determined) in accordance with the law, from which citizens of the Russian Federation directly elect a deputy (deputies) , an elective official (elective officials);
single electoral district means an electoral district which includes the entire territory on which the election is held;
multi-seat electoral district means an electoral district in which several deputies are to be elected and in which voters vote for each of the deputies personally;
single-seat electoral district means an electoral district in which one deputy is to be elected;
referendum campaign means the activity aimed at the preparation and conduct of a referendum, which is conducted in the period from the day when the referendum initiative group is registered to the day when the referendum commission, which organizes the referendum, presents a report on the expenditure of funds allocated from the appropriate budget for the preparation and conduct of the referendum or to the day when the conduct of the referendum is refused;
candidate means a person nominated in the procedure laid down by this Federal Law, other laws as a seeker of an office, filled by means of direct elections, or membership in a body (chamber of a body) of state power or body of local self-government or a person registered by the relevant election commission as a candidate;
registered candidate means a person registered as a candidate by the relevant election commission;
commission means an election commission, referendum commission;
referendum commission means a collective body formed in thea procedure and at thea time laid down by law, which organizes and prepares a referendum;
higher referendum commission means a referendum commission organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of a referendum, which is designated by the law, charter of a municipality as a higher election commission in respect of other referendum commissions carrying out the preparation and conduct of the same election;
lower referendum commission means a referendum commission organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of a referendum which is designated by the law as a lower referendum commission in respect of other referendum commissions organizing and carrying out the preparation and conduct of the same referendum;
referendum commission organizing a referendum means a referendum commission charged by the law, charter of a municipality with directing the activity of all referendum commissions for the preparation and conduct of the referendum;
observer means a Russian Federation citizen authorized to monitor the conduct of voting, vote counting and other activities of the commission during the conduct of voting, determination of vote returns and the results of an election, referendum, including the commission's actions in checking the correctness of determination of vote returns and the results of an election, referendum;
foreign (international) observer means a person representing a foreign or international organization that is entitled to monitor the preparation and conduct of elections and referendums in the Russian Federation in the procedure laid down by law;
invalid signature means a signature collected in violation of the rules for collection of voter signatures, signatures of referendum participants and/or rules for the execution of a signature sheet;
unauthentic signature means a signature put by a person on behalf of another person;
mass media organizations – TV and/or radio broadcasting companies and editorial offices of print media;
bodies of state power of Russian Federation subjects means legislative (representative) bodies of state power of Russian Federation subjects, top executives of Russian Federation subjects (heads of the highest executive bodies of state power of Russian Federation subjects), other bodies of state power of Russian Federation subjects provided for by the constitutions (charters) of Russian Federation subjects and elected directly by citizens of the Russian Federation in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, constitutions (charters), laws of Russian Federation subjects;
federal bodies of state power means President of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, other federal bodies of state power provided for by the Constitution of the Russian Federation and elected directly by citizens of the Russian Federation in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws;
bodies of local self-government means representative and other elective bodies of local self-government and elective officials of local self-government elected by citizens of the Russian Federation directly on the territories which are under local self-government, in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitutions (charters), laws of Russian Federation subjects, charters of municipalities;
absentee certificate means an absentee certificate for voting at an election, referendum;
right to participate in a referendum means a constitutional right of citizens of the Russian Federation to vote on referendum questions questions and take part in other actions connected with the preparation and conduct of a referendum;
member of the press means a person carrying an editorial ID card or some other document certifying his powers as a representative of a media outlet;
referendum means a form of direct will expression of citizens of the Russian Federation on major questionsquestions of the national and local significance for adoption of a decision thereon, effected by means of voting of Russian Federation citizens entitled to participate in a referendum;
local referendum means a referendum conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitution (charter), law of a Russian Federation subject, the charter of a municipality among citizens of the Russian Federation entitled to participate in a referendum, whose place of residence is within the boundaries of a municipality;
Russian Federation referendum means a referendum conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Federal Constitutional Law "On the Russian Federation Referendum," this Federal Law among citizens of the Russian Federation entitled to participate in a referendum, whose place of residence is within the Russian Federation and citizens of the Russian Federation residing outside the Russian Federation;
referendum of a Russian Federation subject means a referendum conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitution (charter), law of a Russian Federation subject among citizens of the Russian Federation entitled to participate in a referendum, whose place of residence is within the Russian Federation subject;
occupation means an income earning activity of a candidate confirmed by documents as well as the status of a non-working candidate: a pensioner, unemployed person, student (with the indication of the name of the educational establishment), housewife, temporarily non-working person;
information about convictions of a candidate means information about the convictions that have not been cancelled and annulled, with the indication of the number (numbers) and the name (names) of the aArticle (articles) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on the basis of which a candidate was convicted and the aArticle (articles) of the criminal code adopted in pursuance of the Fundamental Criminal Legislation of the USSR and the Union Republics, the aArticle (articles) of the law of a foreign state if the candidate was convicted under these legislative acts for actions qualified as crimes by the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation currently in force;
list of candidates means a common list of candidates nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc at elections to elections of a legislative (representative) body of state power, representative or some other elective body of local self-government as well as the said list certified or registered by the election commission organizing the election;
referendum participant means a Russian Federation citizen entitled to the right to participate in a referendum;
federal law means a federal constitutional law, federal law.

Article 3. Principles of Conducting Elections and Referendums in the Russian Federation

1. A citizen of the Russian Federation shall participate atparticipate in elections on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by with secret ballot.

2. A citizen of the Russian Federation shall participate in a referendum on the basis of universal, equal and direct expression of will by secret ballot.

3. Participation of a citizen of the Russian Federation at in elections and referendums shall be free and voluntary. No one shall compel a citizen of the Russian Federation to participate or not to participate in elections and referendums or shall prevent free expression of his will.

4. A citizen of the Russian Federation residing abroad shall have all electoral rights at elections to elections of federal bodies of state power and the full right to participate in a referendum. Diplomatic and consular missions of the Russian Federation shall render assistance to citizens of the Russian Federation in the implementation of his their electoral rights at elections to elections of federal bodies of state power and the right to participate in a referendum of the Russian Federation set forthestablished by this Federal Law or other federal laws.

5. When preparing and holding elections, a referendum, counting votes and tabulating determining vote returns, determining establishing the election results, referendum results, election commissions, referendum commissions shall act openly and publicly.

6. Foreign citizens, except as otherwise provided in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Federal Law, stateless persons, foreign legal entities shall not be engaged in activities which help or impede the nomination of candidates (lists of candidates), election of registered candidates, putting forth an initiative of holding a referendum, conduct of a referendum, and achievement of a certain result at an election or a referendum.

7. Elections and referendums shall be organized and conducted by commissions. Interference in the operation of such commissions by legislative (representative), or executive bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, any organizations, officials, or any other persons shall not be allowed.

Article 4. Universal Suffrage and Right to Participate in Referendum

1. A citizen of the Russian Federation who has attained to the age of 18 years shall be entitled to elect, vote at a referendum; and upon reaching the age set forthestablished by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, constitutions (charters) and laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, he shall be entitled to be elected to the bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government. A citizen of the Russian Federation who has attained to the age of 18 years on voting day, shall be entitled to participate in any other electoral activities and other activities related to the preparation and conduct of a referendum that are established by law and implemented with by legal methods.

2. A citizen of the Russian Federation may elect, be elected, or participate in a referendum regardless of the sex, race, ethnicity, language, origin, property and official status, place of residence, religion, beliefs, affiliation to public associations and other factors.

3. Citizens declared incapable by a court or held in custody under a court sentence shall not be entitled to elect and be elected or to participate in a referendum.

4. A citizen residing within the boundaries of the relevant electoral district shall be entitled to the active electoral right. The absence of a citizen of the Russian Federation from his place of residence in the period of elections in the electoral district containing such place of residence shall not constitute grounds for depriving the citizen of the right to participate in the elections to elections of bodies of state power of the relevant subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government. The law may grant the active electoral right to a citizen residing outside the relevant electoral district.

5. Any limitation of the passive electoral right due to the location of the place of residence of a citizen of the Russian Federation in a certain area of the Russian Federation, including qualifications related to the duration of the period of residence in such area, shall be established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation only.

6. Additional conditions for the exercise by a citizen of the Russian Federation of his passive electoral right, preventing one and the same person from occupying one and the same elective offices for more than a certain number of consecutive terms may be established by a federal law, the constitution (charter), or a law of a subject of the Russian Federation.

7. In the eventIf there exists an effective court decision in relation to a citizen of the Russian Federation that disfranchises disfranchising such citizen from the right to hold occupy state and/or municipal offices for a certain period, during a certain period when such citizen shall not be registered as a candidate if voting at elections to elections of bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government is held before the expiration of such the said period.

8. Additional age-related qualifications for Russian Federation citizens to exercise their passive electoral rights may be established by the constitutions (charters) or lLaws of subjects of the Russian Federation. The minimum age established for a candidate shall not exceed 21 years for elections to elections of the legislative (representative) bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, 30 years for elections of the head of the Executive bodytop executive of a subject of the Russian Federation and 21 years for election to election of bodies of local self-government. No maximum age limit shall be established.

9. Full-time deputiesDeputies working on a permanent basis or elective officials shall not occupy any other paid offices or be involved in paid activities, with the exception of teaching, scientific, or other creative activities; deputies of federal bodies of state power or bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation shall not occupy other state offices, elective municipal offices, municipal offices of municipal service, be deputies of other representative bodies of state power, or representative bodies of local self-government; deputies of representative bodies of local self-government shall not occupy municipal offices of municipal service, be deputies of representative bodies of state power. Other restrictions related to the status of a deputy or an elective official may be established by a federal law.

10. Under international treaties of the Russian Federation and in accordance with due legal procedure, foreign citizens who permanently reside on the territory of a relevant municipality shall have the right to elect and be elected to bodies of local self-government, be involved in other electoral activities at such elections, and participate in a local referendum on the same conditions as citizens of the Russian Federation.

Article 5. Equal Electoral Rights and Right to Participate in Referendum

1. Citizens of the Russian Federation shall participate atparticipate in elections and referendums in the Russian Federation on an equal basis.

2. In the event at If, at an election to election of a legislative (representative) body of state power or to a representative body of local self-government, electoral districts are established with different number of seats, each voter shall have an equal number of votes.

Article 6. Direct Electoral Rights, the Right to Direct Expression of Will at Referendum

At elections or a referendum aA citizen of the Russian Federation shall vote directly at elections or a referendum for or against a candidate (a list of candidates) respectively, for or against a referendum question.

Article 7. Secret Ballot

Voting at elections and referendums shall be by secret ballot, which shall exclude any control over expression of a citizen's will.

Article 8. Term of Powers of Bodies of State Power and Local Self-Government

1. The terms for which federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, and their respective deputies are elected, and the terms of powers of such bodies and deputies shall be established, respectively, by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, constitutions (charters), laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, charters of municipalities. Such established term shall not exceed five years.

2. Any change (prolongation or reduction) of the term of powers of operating elective bodies or deputies referred to in Clause 1 of this article shall be prohibited. A regulation that changes (prolongs or reduces) the term for which bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, deputies are elected, and/or the term of powers of a body of state power, a body of local self-government, or a deputy as established by a federal law, the constitution (charter), a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality may be appliedshall apply only to the bodies or deputies that are elected at elections called after the official publication of such regulation.

3. In the event the term of powers of operating bodies or deputies referred to in Clause 1 of this article expires within a period during which a state of emergency or martial law is in effect, such bodies or deputies shall exercise their powers until such state of emergency or martial law ceases to be effective and new bodies or deputies are elected.

Article 9. Obligatory Nature of Elections

Elections of the bodies or deputies specified in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Federal Law shall be obligatory, periodic and conducted at intervals set forthestablished by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, the constitutions (charters), laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, and the charters of municipalities.

Article 10. Calling of Elections

1. Elections of bodies or deputies referred to in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Federal Law shall be called by a duly authorized body or official authorized to do so. The decision on to calling an election shall be made taken at least 65 days before the expiration date of the term for which the relevant body or deputies were elected. In the event of an early termination of powers of such bodies or deputes that renders the body ineligibleincompetent, and election shall be called nott later than 14 days after the date of such termination.

2. Voting at an election to election of federal bodies of state power shall be held no later thannot later than 110 days and not earlier than 80 days from the date on which the decision on callingto call the election is adoptedtaken. Voting at an election to election of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be held not later than 110 days and not earlier than 80 days from the date on which the decision on to calling the election is adoptedtaken. Voting at an election to election of bodies of local self-government shall be held not later than 80 days and not earlier than 70 days from the date on which the decision on to calling the election is adoptedtaken. Such decision shall be officially published in the mass media not later than five days from the date on which the decision on is adoptedtaken.

3. Voting at aen election shall be set on a Sunday only. Voting shall not be set on the day preceding an official holiday, on an official holiday that is a day-off, on a day following an official holiday that holiday is a day-off, or on a Sunday that has been officially declared a working day.

4. 3. If a duly authorized body or an official authorized to do so fails to call elections within the period established by law, or when if there is no such dulya authorized body or an official authorized to do so is not available, the elections shall be conducted by the relevant election commission:

а) on the first or the second Sunday of the month following the month in which the powers of the body or the deputies expire. In this case, the decision of the election commission to hold the elections shall be published not later than seven days after the expiry date of the period established in Clause 2 of this article for the publication of a decision concerning the setting ofto call the elections;

b) not later than 120 days after the date of early termination of powers of the body or the deputies that rendersing the body powerlessincompetent. In this case, the decision of the election commission to hold the elections shall be published not later than seven days after the expiry date of the period established in Clause 2 of this article for the publication of a decision concerning the calling ofto call the elections.

5. If a duly authorized body or an official authorized to do so or the corresponding election commission fails to appoint set the date for the election of the bodies or deputies indicated in Clause 1, Article 8 of this Federal Law in due time or if an appropriate election commission is not available and cannot be formed in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, the elections shall be called by an appropriate cCourt of general jurisdiction on the basis of applications from voters, electoral associations, electoral blocs, bodies of state power and local self-government or a prosecutor. In this case, elections shall be organized and held by a provisional election commission which shall be formed for the preparation and conduct ing of such elections by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation (depending on the level of the elections) within 7 days after of the day when the court decision enters into legal force. This election commission shall consist of not more than 15 members and shall be formed in compliance with the requirements to commission membership laid down by Articles 22 to -24 and 29 of this Federal Law.

Article 11. Legislation of the Russian Federation on Elections and Referendums

1. The legislation of the Russian Federation on elections are is comprised offormed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitutions (charters), laws of the subjects of the Russian Federation, other regulatory legal acts on elections adopted in the Russian Federation.

2. The legislation of the Russian Federation on referendums are comprised ofid formed by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, this Federal Law, other federal laws, constitutions (charters), laws of the subjects of the Russian Federation, other regulatory legal acts on referendums adopted in the Russian Federation.

3. In the eventIf, in the periodin the period of an election campaign or the period of a campaign related to a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation or a local referendum, a law or the charter of a municipality is adopted that contain provisions governing the procedure of the preparation and conduct of a relevant election or referendum, or in the event that, inif, during such period, a law or the charter of a municipality is modified or supplemented in a way that affects the procedure of the preparation and conduct of the relevant election or referendum, such regulations, modifications, or supplements shall only apply to elections or referendums called after these regulations, modifications, or supplements have entered into force.

4. In the eventIf the term of a body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation or a body of local self-government has expired, or its powers were terminated, and a relevant law of the subject of the Russian Federation on elections is not availabledoes not exist or a provision (provisions) of such law of the subject of the Russian Federation cannot be applied due to a court decision rendering it (them) ineffective or inapplicable, the election to election of such body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, or to the body of local self-government shall be conducted, with respect of the provision (provisions) that was declared by the court ineffective or inapplicable by court, are concernedshall be conducted, by a relevant election commission governed on the basis ofby this Federal Law, other federal laws that supportensuring the exercise of the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to elect and be elected to bodies of state power or to bodies of local self-government, and, In the eventif the existing legal basis is insufficient, also also governedon the basis of decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, as far as the issuesto the extent such elections are not covered by the unregulated by lawsare concerned, by decrees of the President of the Russian Federation.

5. In the eventIf the law of a subject of the Russian Federation on referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation or on local referendum is unavailabledoes not exist, or a provision (provisions) of the law of the subject of the Russian Federation cannot be applied due to a court decision rendering it (them) ineffective or inapplicable, the referendum of the respective level shall, with respect of the provision (provisions) of the law of the subject of the Russian Federation that have beenwas declared ineffective or inapplicable by court, shall be conducted by a relevant referendum commission on the basis of this Federal Law, other federal laws ensuring the exercise of the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum; as well as on the basis of decrees of the President of the Russian Federation, in the event of insufficiency ofif the existing legal basis is insufficiientinsufficient, to the extent such referendum is not covered those aspects are not regulated by the laws also on the basis of decrees of the President of the Russian Federation.

Chapter II. Guarantees of Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Calling a Referendum

Article 12. Referendum IssuesQuestions

1. IssuesQuestions to be submitted to a referendum of the Russian Federation and issuesquestions which are not to be submitted to a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be specified by a federal constitutional law.

2. IssuesQuestions may be submitted to a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation only if they are within the jurisdiction of the subject of the Russian Federation, or within joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and subjects of the Russian Federation, provided such issues questions are not regulated by the Constitution of the Russian Federation or a federal law.

3. Only issues questions of local significance may be submitted to a local referendum.

4. The constitutions (charters), laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, the charters of municipalities may define issuesquestions that are subject to mandatory submission ttal to a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation or a local referendum.

5. IssuesQuestions submitted to a referendum shall not restrict or abolish generally recognized human and civil rights and constitutional guarantees for the realization thereof.

6. The issues questions submitted to a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum shall not conflict with the legislation of the Russian Federation. IssuesQuestions submitted to a local referendum shall not conflict with the legislation of the Russian Federation Russian Federation and the legislation of the relevant subject of the Russian Federation.

7. A referendum issue question shall be worded formulated in such manner so as to preclude any possibility of its multiple interpretations, i.e. so that only an unambiguous answer can be given to it, and also so as to rule out any ambiguity of the legal consequences of the decision made adopted at the referendum.

8. The following issues questions shall not be submitted to a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation or a local referendum:

а) early termination, prolongation, suspension of powers of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation or bodies of local self-government; and holding of early elections to elections of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government or postponement of the said elections;

b) personal membership of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government;

c) election of deputies or officials; approval or appointment or removal of officials; consent to appointment or removal of such officials;

d) adoption or amendment of an existing budget; fulfillment or modification of financial commitments of the subject of the Russian Federation or the municipality;

e) adoption of extraordinary and urgent measures to ensure health and security of the population.

9. No restrictions shall be established for issuesquestions to be submitted to a referendum other than those set forth in this article.

Article 13. Circumstances under Which a Referendum Shall not be Called or Held

1. A referendum shall not be held if a martial law or a state of emergency have been imposed on the territory of the Russian Federation or on the territory in which the referendum is to be held or within a part of this territory, or within three months after the martial law or the state of emergency have been lifted.

2. The body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation or the body of local self-government that under the constitution (charter) or law of the subject of the Russian Federation or the charter of the municipality have the authority to decide on calling a referendum shall be entitled to deny refuse to calling a referendum only In the eventif the regulations governing the preparation and conduct of the relevant referendum were violated in exercising the initiative to hold such referendum.

3. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality may establish a period during which another referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation, another local referendum with essentially the same formulation of the question shall not be held. The said period shall not exceed two years from the date on which the results of the referendum are officially published.

4. No circumstances other than those indicated in this article under which a referendum shall not be held shall be established.

Article 14. Initiative to Hold Referendum

1. In the Russian Federation, the initiative to hold a referendum is vested in those citizens of the Russian Federation who are entitled to participate in a referendum.

2. The initiative to hold a referendum may be vested in other subjects by a federal law.

3. In order to initiate a referendum and collect signatures of citizens of the Russian Federation in support thereof, a referendum initiative group may be formed. Any citizen or a group of citizens of the Russian Federation who are entitled to participate in a referendum shall have the right to form such initiative group. The iInitiative to hold a referendum may also be exercised by an electoral association or another public association the charter of which provides for participation atparticipation in elections and/or referendums and which is registered in the procedure prescribed by the federal law at a level corresponding to the level of the referendum or a higher level no later thannot later than one year before the date of forming the referendum initiative group. The number of members of an initiative group for a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be set by a federal constitutional law; the number of members of the initiative group for a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation or a local referendum shall be set in accordance with this Federal Law, law of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality.

4. For a referendum to be called, a referendum initiative group established in accordance with Clause 3 of this article shall submit signatures of referendum participants supporting the referendum initiative to the body prescribed by a federal constitutional law, a law of the subject of the Russian Federation, or by the charter of the municipality.

Article 15. Calling of Referendum

1. Calling and conducting of a referendum shall be mandatory if the procedure and the timing time terms for putting forward and implementation of the referendum initiative established by the federal constitutional law "On the Referendum of the Russian Federation", this Federal Law, the constitution (charter), a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, or the charter of a municipality according to the level of the referendum have been complied with in terms of both its advancement and implementation as prescribed by the federal constitutional law "On the Referendum of the Russian Federation", this Federal Law, the constitution (charter), a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, or the charter of a municipality.

2. The fact that Adoption by a body of state power, a governmental bodyinstitution, a body of local self-government of takes a decision on a issue question that may be submitted to a referendum shall not constitute a circumstance that precludes a possibility to holding of a referendum on this issuequestion.

3. A referendum of the Russian Federation shall be called in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation or a federal constitutional law.

4. A referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be called by the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation in accordance with this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitution (charter) or law of the subject of the Russian Federation.

5. A local referendum shall be called in accordance with this Federal Law, the constitution (charter) or law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality by the representative body of local self-government; and by a court if such body is not available or have failed to make a decision within the required period.

6. Voting at a referendum may only be set on a Sunday. Voting shall not be set on the day preceding a holiday, on a holiday that is a day-off, on the day following a holiday that is a day-off holiday, or on a Sunday that hashave been duly announced in the established procedure to be a working day. A decision to hold a referendum of the Russian Federation, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be officially published in the mass media not less than 60 days prior to the voting day of voting, a decision to hold a local referendum not less than 45 days prior to the voting day of voting.

7. Under a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality, and not later than 25 days prior to the referendum day, the voting day of voting at a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation, or at a local referendum may be postponed until a later date (but by not more than by 90 days) by a duly authorized body authorized to do so in order to hold such referendum on the same day as elections to elections of bodies of state power or bodies of local self-government, or another referendum.

8. A decision to announce a referendum or to put off the referendum voting day in accordance with Clause 7 of this article shall be published in mass media no later thannot later than five days after it was taken.

Chapter III. Guarantees of Rights of Citizens of the Russian Federation in During Registration of Voters, Referendum Participants, Compilation of Voters Lists, Lists of Referendum Participants, Formation of Electoral Districts, Electoral Precincts and Referendum Precincts

Article 16. Registration of Voters, Referendum Participants

1. All citizens of the Russian Federation who are entitled to an active electoral right or the right to participate in referendums shall be subject to registration.

2. Registration of voters, referendum participants shall be carried out on the basis of the fact that the place of residence of a citizen of the Russian Federation is located on the relevant territory as established by the bodies in charge of registration of citizens of the Russian Federation that shall be established by bodies in charge of registration of citizens of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the federal law regulating the procedure for the exercise by citizens of the Russian Federation of the right to the freedom of movement, choice of the place of stay or residence within the Russian Federation.

3. Registration of voters, referendum participants residing outside the territory of the Russian Federation or staying abroad on long business trips shall be on the basis of their permanent residence or staying on long business trips on the territory of a foreign state that shall be set by the diplomatic and consular missions of the Russian Federation.

4. Registration of voters, referendum participants shall be effected by the head of a relevant municipality (if this office is not provided for by the charter of the municipality, by a person authorized to do so by the representative body of local self-government), the commander of a military unit, the head of a diplomatic mission, consular mission of the Russian Federation as of January 1 and July 1 of each year. Registration of voters, referendum participants shall be effected carried out in accordance with a the procedure established by the regulations on the state system of registration of voters, referendum participants that shall be approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

5. For registration of voters, referendum participants may be supported by the State Automated Information System may be used into which the following voter data on voters, referendum participants is entered: surname, first name, patronymic name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, citizenship, address of his the place of residence, type of personal identification document, series and number of this document, name or code of the issuing authority, date of issue.

6. Federal bodies of executive power, bodies of executive power of subjects of the Russian Federation shall render necessary assistance to the bodies of local self-government and election commissions in registering voters, referendum participants and updating the data on registered voters, referendum participants.

7. A voter, referendum participant shall be entitled to free access to documented information (personal file) regarding him including data on machine-readable media, to correct inaccurate data in order to insure ensure its completeness and validity and shall be entitled to know who uses or used such data and for what purposes, and to whom and by whom such information has beenwas provided.

Article 17. Compilation of Lists of Voters, Referendum Participants

1. In order to ensure the rights of voters, referendum participants, relevant election commissions shall compile lists of voters, referendum participants on the basis of the data obtained through the utilization of the state system of voter and referendum participant registration and provided in compliance with the requirements of Clause 6 of this article.

2. Citizens of the Russian Federation who as of voting day enjoy are entitled to an the active electoral right, the right to participate in a referendum shall be included in the lists of voters, referendum participants in the electoral precincts, precincts for referendum precincts.

3. . In the eventIf, under an international treaty of the Russian Federation, foreign nationals are entitled to participate in elections to elections of bodies of local self-government or in a local referendum, the lists of voters, referendum participants for elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums shall, in accordance with the law, include foreign nationals that have attained to the age of 18 years as of voting day, and are not covered bydo not fall within Clause 3, Article 4 of this Federal Law and permanently resideing on the territory of the municipality in which the said election or referendum is held.

4. The grounds for including a citizen of the Russian Federation on the list of voters, referendum participants in a concrete electoral precinct, precinct for the referendum precinct shall be constituted by the fact that his permanent place of residence is located on the territory of this electoral precinct; and in cases specified by this Federal Law, other federal laws and provided that his place of residence is located on the territory of the electoral district containing the electoral precinct, also by the fact of his temporary stay on the territory of this precinct or possession by the citizen of an absentee certificate. The fact that a citizen’s place of permanent residence or temporary stay is located on the territory of an electoral district or an electoral precinct shall be established by the bodies in charge of registration of citizens of the Russian Federation in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

5. Military Servicemen at Servicemen in active military service conscripts in military units, military organizations and institutions, cadets of military professional educational institutionsschools that are located on the territory of the relevant municipality shall not be included in the lists of voters, referendum participants for at elections to elections of the bodies of local self-government, a local referendum and shall not be counted during the determination ofwhen the number of voters, referendum participants is determined, unless they their place of residence prior to the drafting resided permanently or currently was located within thein said municipalities.

6. Information about registered voters, referendum participants shall be submitted and updated by an authorized body or official of local self-government authorized to do so. Information about voters, referendum participants who are servicemen staying in military units, their families and other voters, referendum participants if they live on the territory where the military unit is stationed located or are duly registered in the established procedure at in the military unit as the place of their service is compiled and kept updated by the commander of the military unit. Information about voters, referendum participants who live outside the territory of the Russian Federation or are on long missions business trips abroad shall be compiled and updated by the head of the diplomatic mission, consular mission of the Russian Federation. Such information shall be sent delivered to territorial commissions (election commissions of municipalities) by the authorized body or official authorized to do soto territorial commissions (election commissions of municipalities), and if none are availableterritorial commissions do not exist - to district election commissions, and in the cases provided for by law - to precinct commissions immediately after voting day is set or after the commissions are formed.

7. The list of voters, referendum participants shall be composed compiled by the appropriate commission, usingwith the use, among other things, the State Automated System, separately for each electoral precinct, referendum precinct on the basis of the information submitted in accordance with anthe established form by duly authorized the bodyies authorized to do so or authorized officials.

8. At elections to elections of federal bodies of state power or a referendum of the Russian Federation, precinct commissions formed at in electoral precincts or referendum precincts, established outside the territory of the Russian Federation, shall be entitled to compile a list of voters, referendum participants before voting day on the basis of written applications, and on voting day, on the basis of oral applications of citizens of the Russian Federation who have come to the precinct commission while and who permanently residing reside outside the territory of the Russian Federation or being are on long business trips abroad.

9. A citizen of the Russian Federation who is entitled to an active electoral right, a right to participate in a referendum who, is staying on voting day at elections to elections of the federal bodies of state power, referendum of the Russian Federation, is staying outside the territory of the Russian Federation and who have had no opportunity to obtain absentee voting certificate or vote earlier shall be included in the list of voters, referendum participants by the appropriate election commission, referendum commission when he comes for voting to the premises of the precinct commission on voting day.

10. A citizen of the Russian Federation shall be included in the list of voters, referendum participants only in one electoral precinct, precinct for referendum precinct.

11. Lists of voters, referendum participants shall be compiled in two copies. The data regarding voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants shall be arranged in an alphabetical or other order (by populated areas, streets, blocs of apartments, voters' addresses). The lists of voters, referendum participants shall contain the family surname, given first name, patronymic name, year of birth (for voters at the aged of 18, also the day and month of birth), address of the place of residence of the voter, referendum participant. A list of voters, referendum participants shall provide blank spaces for a voter, referendum participant to sign for each ballot received by the voter, referendum participant, and blank spaces for entering summary data for each type of election, referendum, and for the signature of the member of the precinct commission issuing the ballot (ballots) to the voter, referendum participant.

12. The first copy of the list of voters, referendum participants shall be signed by the chairman and the secretary of the commission that has compiled the list. In electoral precincts, referendum precincts that are established on the territory of a military unit, in a remote or a hard-to-reach area, the list of voters, referendum participants shall be signed by the chairman and the secretary of the precinct commission. The list of voters, referendum participants shall be certified by the seals of the territorial commission (the district election commission, the municipality election commission ) and the precinct commission, respectively. The procedure and time of making the preparation and use of the second copy of the list of voters, referendum participants, and its submission to the relevant precinct commission, and of its certification and updating shall be defined determined by the commission organizing the election or the referendum.

13. The relevant territorial commission (the district election commission, the municipality election commission) shall transfer the first copy of the list of voters, referendum participants of a specific electoral precinct, precinct for the referendum precictprecinct to the precinct commissions in accordance with a transfer certificate not later than 25 days prior to the election day or the referendum day. A precinct commission shall be entitled to divide the first copy of the list of voters, referendum participants into separate books. Each such book shall be sewn (stitched) together not later than on the day preceding voting day, and certified by the seal of the corresponding precinct commission and a the signature of its chairman.

14. The precinct commission shall update the list of voters, referendum participants in compliance with the procedure established for organization of interaction and cooperation of election commissions and referendum commissions with the bodies of local self-government, institutions and organizations in charge of the registration of voters, referendum participants. A verified and updated list of voters, referendum participants shall be signed by the precinct commission’s chairman and secretary and certified by the seal of the precinct commission.

15. The list of voters, referendum participants shall be displayed made available by the precinct commission for inspection by to voters, referendum participants for inspection and further updating verification not later than 20 days prior to voting day.

16. A citizen of the Russian Federation who are is entitled to an active electoral right, the right to participate in a referendum shall be entitled to apply to a precinct commission about his non-enrollment inclusion on the list of voters, referendum participants or regarding any mistake or inaccuracy of the his data on him on the list of voters, referendum participants. The precinct commission shall review consider such applications and submitted documents within 24 hours of the submission or within 2 hours if submitted on voting day but not later than the end of voting, and rectify correct the mistake or inaccuracy or issue a written response to the applicant stating the reasons for the rejection of the application. A citizen may be excluded removed from the list of voters, referendum participants which has been signed by the chairman and the secretary of the relevant commission and certified by the commission’s seal in accordance with the procedure provided for by Clause 12 of this article only on the basis of official documents or In the eventif an absentee certificate was issued to the voter, referendum participanthas been issued and absentee certificate, or his inclusion he is included in another list of voters, referendum participants. In such case, the fact of exclusion removal and the date on which the citizen of the Russian Federation was excluded removed from the list and the reasons for exclusiondingremoval shall be indicated in the list of voters, referendum participants and in the database of the State Automated Information System. This entry in on the list of voters, referendum participants shall be certified by a the signature of the chairman of the precinct commission. The decision of the precinct commission may be appealed to a higher commission or to a court (at the location of the precinct commission) that shall review consider the appeal within 3 days or immediately if submitted within three days of before voting day or on voting day. Each citizen of the Russian Federation shall be entitled to notify the precinct commission of a change inthat the data, specified by Clause 5, Article 16 of this Federal Lawprovided for by Clause 5, Article 16 of this Federal Law, of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants inat the respective precinct has been changed.

17. Voters, referendum participants who occur are at locations places of their temporary stay and are working at continuously operating organizations or are involved in such types of operations where no shortening of work (working shift) is possible, and military personnel occurring being outside their garrisons may, by their personal application submitted in accordance with the due legal procedure established by law, be included in the lists of voters, referendum participants at in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct at the location place of their temporary stay not later than seven days before voting day.

18. Modifications ofto the list of voters, referendum participants shall not be allowed after the end of voting and the beginning of the vote count.

Article 18. Formation (Establishment) of Electoral Districts, Referendum Districts

1. In order to conduct elections, single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts shall be formed established or a single electoral district shall be formed; in order to conduct a referendum, a referendum district shall be established.

2. Single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts are shall be formed on the basis of the data on the number of voters registered on the relevant territory in accordance with Clause 4, Article 16 of this Federal Law. A relevant election commission shall, not later than 80 days prior to the expiration of the period within which the election must be called, establish the scheme of single-seat and/or multi-seat districts specifying their boundaries, listing the administrative/territorial units, or municipalities, or populated areas falling into each electoral district (in the eventif an electoral district includes a part of the territory of an administrative/territorial unit, or a municipality, or a populated area, the scheme shall indicate the boundaries of such part of the territory of the administrative/territorial unit, or a the municipality, or a the populated area), specifying the number of each electoral district, the location of each district election commission or an election commission authorized to exercise the powers of the a district election commission, and the number of voters in each electoral district. The appropriate legislative (representative) body of state power, representative body of local self-government shall approve the scheme of electoral districts not later than 20 days prior to the expiration of the period within which the election must be called, and this body shall be entitled to amend the proposed scheme before the electoral district scheme is approved.

3. If there are no legislative (representative) bodies of state power, representative bodies of local self-government are not available on the territory where elections are to be held or a new scheme of single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts has not been approved by the time specified in Clause 2 of this article, the election commission organizing the election shall take one of the following decisions:

а) if the scheme of electoral districts approved for the purposes of the election to elections of bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government of the previous convocation (hereinafter, the "previous scheme of the districts") complies with the requirements set forth in this Federal Law, a decision on to holdng the election by using the previous scheme of districts;

b) if the previous scheme of districts does not satisfy the requirements set forth in this Federal Law and/or has been duly declared invalid and inapplicable by a court in accordance with the procedure established by the federal law, a decision on to holdng the election by in electoral districts the scheme of which is to be established in accordance with law the by the election commission organizing the election and approved by this commission not later than five days from the date on which the decision on to calling the election is officially published. In such case, if the number of deputies elected by with the use of the new scheme of districts shall remains unchanged, and the election commission, in defining determining such scheme, shall only be entitled, apart from updating the number of voters, to introduce alterations to in the previous scheme of the districts, with such alterations to be made only in those districts that fail to meet the requirements of Clause 4 of this article, and/or to supplement the previous scheme of districts to the extent as far as it was declared invalid and inapplicable. In the eventIf the said modifications alterations and supplements resulted in modification of the boundaries of other districts in the previous scheme of the districts, the commission may change the boundaries of such districts in accordance with the requirements of Clause 4 of this article.

4. Single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts shall be formed to meet the following requirements:

а) approximately equal numbers of voters in single-seat electoral districts, with a permissible deviation from the average voters’ representation quota not exceeding 10 percent, and for remote areas and hard-to-reach areas not exceeding 30 percent. In forming multi-seat electoral districts, approximate equality of the numbers of voters per one deputy seat shall be observed approximately equal. In a multi-seat electoral district, the deviation from the average voters’ representation quota multiplied by the number of deputy seats in this district shall not exceed ten percent of the average voters’ representation quota, and 15 percent in hard-to-reach or remote areas. These requirements need not apply be observed at to elections to elections of federal bodies of state power, other federal state bodies if according to the federal laws at least one electoral district is shall be established on the territory of each subject of the Russian Federation.

The requirements contained in the first sentence of this sub-cClause shall not apply if on the territory of an autonomous region comprised in another subject of the Russian Federation a one single-seat electoral district covering the entire territory of such autonomous region is formed established for elections of deputies to the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation. If the application of provisions contained in the first sentence of this sub-cClause entails the formation of an electoral district containing parts of the territories of more than one municipality, or formation of an electoral district containing the territories of one or more municipalities and a part of the territory of another municipality, separate single-seat electoral districts at an election of deputies of the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation may be established with a maximum acceptable deviation from the average voters’ representation quota not exceeding 20 percent. A list of remote and hard-to-reach localities areas shall be established by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation that became effective before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election;

b) when establishing electoral districts in the areas populated by indigenous small peoples as defined by the law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the permissible deviation from the average voters’ representation quota in accordance with the law of the subject of the Russian Federation may exceed the above limit, but shall not be exceeding more than 40 percent;

c) an electoral district shall constitute a single territory; creation of an electoral district consisting of non-adjacent territories shall not be allowed, with the exception of enclave territories.

5. The requirements to the formation of single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts set forth in Clause 4 of this article shall be met with due consideration for the administrative-territorial structure (division) of a subject of the Russian Federation, territory of municipalities.

6. If, in accordance with the constitution (charter), or a law of a subject of the Russian Federation, either of the chambers of its two-chamber legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation is formed out ofwith representatives of administrative-territorial units or municipalities, Sub-cClauses "a" and "b" of Clause 4 of this article shall not apply to the formation of such chamber.

7. The scheme of single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts, including its graphical representation, shall be published (made public) by the appropriate representative body of state power, representative body of local self-government, or the election commission organizing the election not later than five days upon its approval.

8. If a multi-seat electoral district is established, the number of seats to be distributed in the district shall not exceed five. This restriction shall not apply to an election to election of a body of local self-government in an electoral district that is equal to formed within the boundaries of a municipalityan electoral precinct.

Article 19. Formation of Electoral Precincts, Referendum Precincts

1. Electoral precincts, referendum precincts shall be formed to conduct voting and count votes.

2. Electoral precincts, referendum precincts shall be formed by the head of a municipality with the concurrence of the relevant commissions, referendum commissions (if the charter of the municipality does not provide for such office, by a person authorized to do so by the representative body of local self-government), or the persons indicated in Clauses 3 and 6 of this article, by the relevant commissions in accordance with the procedure provided for in Clause 5 of this article, on the basis of the data concerning on the number of voters, referendum participants registered on the territory of the electoral precinct, referendum precinct in accordance with Clause 4, Article 16 of this Federal Law, with not more than 3 thousand voters, referendum participants per precinct. Electoral precincts, referendum precincts shall be formed not later than 45 days prior to voting day.

3. For citizens of the Russian Federation staying outside the territory of the Russian Federation, electoral precincts, referendum precincts shall be formed by the hHeads of diplomatic or consular missions of the Russian Federation on the territory of the country where they stay. The provisions regarding the number of voters, referendum participants set forth in Clause 2 of this article shall not apply if electoral precincts, referendum precincts are formed outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

4. The boundaries of electoral precincts shall not cross the boundaries of electoral districts. The procedures for assigning electoral precincts formed outside the territory of the Russian Federation to electoral districts formed for elections of federal bodies of state power shall be set by a federal law.

5. In places where voters, referendum participants temporarily stay (hospitals, sanatoriums, holiday hotels, detention centers for suspected or accused persons, and other places of temporary stay of voters), in remote areas and hard-to-reach areas, on ships at sea on voting day and at polar stations, electoral precincts, referendum precincts may be formed within the periods set forthindicated in Clause 2 of this article, and in exceptional cases and upon approval by the higher commission, not later than 5 days before voting day. Such electoral precincts shall be included in electoral districts where the electoral precincts are located or where the ships are registered. At elections to elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, to bodies of local self-government, in at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum, the law of the subject of the Russian Federation may prescribe a different procedure for assignment of precincts established at ships that are at sea on voting day to electoral districts, referendum districts. In hard-to-reach or remote areas, electoral precincts, referendum precincts may be set established by a higher commission with concurrence ofwith the concurrence of the captain of the ship, the head of the polar station, heads of organizations located in hard-to-reach or remote areas.

6. Servicemen shall vote in regular electoral precincts, referendum precincts. In military units, electoral precincts, referendum precincts may be formed by commanders of such military units in the cases, and in thea procedure and at the time established by law.

7. Lists of electoral precincts, referendum precincts indicating their boundaries and numbers, location of precinct commissions, and polling stationsvoting premises shall be published by the head of a municipality (in the eventif no such office is provided for by the charter of the municipality, by a person authorized to do so by the representative body of local self-government) no later thannot later than 40 days before voting day. The procedure for providing the said information to voters, referendum participants in the circumstances described in Clauses 3 and 5 of this article is shall be established by law.

Chapter IV. Election Commissions, Referendum Commissions

Article 20. System and Status of Election Commissions, Referendum Commissions

1. The following election commissions, referendum commissions shall function in the Russian Federation:

the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation;

election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation;

election commissions of municipalities;

district election commissions;

territorial (raion, city, and other) election commissions;

precinct commissions.

2. In holdingWhen relevant referendums are held, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, election commissions of municipalities, territorial election commissions shall act in the capacity of referendum commissions. Other election commissions may act as referendum commissions on the basis of the decision of the relevant higher election commissions in charge of the formation of election commissions that shall be made taken in the procedure provided for by Clause 9 of this article.

3. Commissions shall support ensure the implementation and protection of electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum, prepare for and conduct elections and referendums in the Russian Federation.

4. Commissions shall, within the scope of their competence, consider complaints grievances about violations of law that they receive in the course of the an election campaign or the a referendum campaign, check these complaints grievances and give written answers to the persons who submitted such grievances within five days but not later than the day preceding voting day; or immediately if such grievances are received on voting day or on the day which followsfollowing voting day. If the facts stated in such grievances complaints require additional verification, decisions thereon shall be taken within ten days. If a complaint indicates grievance states that a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, a referendum initiative group violated a law, such candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group or authorized representatives thereof shall be immediately notified of receipt of such complaint grievance and may provide explanations on the substance of the claimstatement.

5. Commissions shall be entitled to submit requests applications to law enforcement authorities, bodies of executive power for to carrying out the required investigations and check violations of law, the grounds of such applications may include complaints grievances described in Clause 4 of this article. The law enforcement authorities, bodies of executive power shall take measures to put an endcheck to the violations within five days, and In the event the submittalif an application was received five days or less before voting day, - not later than the day preceding voting day, and immediately if an application is received on voting day and the day following voting day and without delay inform the applying commission about the results of the actions measurestaken. If the facts stated in the submittal application require additional verification the said measures shall be taken within ten days.

6. Commissions shall inform voters, referendum participants about the time and the procedure for performance of electoral actions, actions connected with the preparation and conduct of a referendum, about the progress of the election campaign, the referendum campaign, and about candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs which nominated candidates, or lists of candidates.

7. Competence, powers and procedures for activities of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be set by this Federal Law, other federal laws. Competence, powers and procedures for activities of other commissions in the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of federal bodies of state power and a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be set by this Federal Law, other federal laws.

8. Competence, powers and procedures for activities of election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, election commissions of municipalities, district election commissions, territorial and precinct commissions during the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government, and referendums in subjects of the Russian Federation and local referendums shall be set forth by this Federal Law, the constitutions (charters), laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, and the charters of municipalities.

9. Combination of by commissions of’ powers related to theto prepareation and conduct of elections, referendums of various levels shall be allowed possible only on the basis of the decision of the commission organizing the election, the referendum on a certain territory, which decisionthat is taken shall be made on the basis of an application of a commission organizing the election, the referendum in a part of this territory. Combination by commissions of powers to prepare and conduct elections, referendums of the same level shall be effected allowedpossible on the basis of a decision of the commission organizing the elections, referendums.

10. Decisions of a higher commission made taken within its competence shall be binding upon lower commissions.

11. Decisions of a commission which conflicts with a law or which has beenwas taken by a commission in excess of its established competence shall be cancelled by a higher commission or or overruled by a cCourt. In this case, the higher commission shall be entitled to make a decision on the substance of the matter or forward the relevant documents for reconsideration by the commission a decision of which has beenwas revokedcancelled.

12. Within the limits of their competence, commissions shall be independent of bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government.

13. Decisions and other acts of commissions adopted within their competence shall be binding upon federal executive bodies of state power, executive bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, state institutions, bodies of local self-government, candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, public associations, organizations, officials, voters and referendum participants. No state registration shall be required for Decisions and other acts of commissions shall not be subject to state registration.

14. Financial support of activities of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be effected out offrom the funds allocated for this purpose by the federal law on the federal budget for the relevant fiscal year. Financial support of activities of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be effected out offrom the finds funds allocated for this purpose by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation on the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation for the relevant fiscal year and out offrom the funds from of the federal budget in accordance with the procedure and in the amount set by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation within the limits of funds allocated for these such purposes by the federal law on the federal budget for the relevant fiscal year. Financial support of activities of the a municipality election commission of a municipality, a territorial commission functioning on a permanent basis and constituting a legal entity shall be effected out offrom funds from of the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation and/or the local budget within the limits of funds allocated for these such purposes by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation on the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation, and/or the regulatory act of the body of local self-government on the local budget for the relevant fiscal year.

15. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipality election commissions, and territorial commissions shall submit reports on the expenditure of the funds allocated from the relevant budgets to support their activities, the conduct of elections and referendums in accordance with a the procedure established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

16. State bodies, bodies of local self-government, state and municipal institutions and their officials shall render assistance to commissions in the exercise of their powers; in particular, by providing them, free of charge, with necessary premises, including premises for safe keeping of electoral documents and referendum-related documents before such documents are handed over to an archives or destroyed upon expiry of safe keeping periods established by law, make arrangements for guarding the provided premises, rooms, and the said documents, and provide, free of charge, vehiclestransportation means, telecommunication means and technical equipment.

17. Organizations with a charter capital in which the state and/or municipality holds a stake exceeding 30 percent as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the an election, or the official publication of the decision to call the a referendum, officials of such organization shall assist commissions in the exercise of their powers, in particular, by providing them transportationvehicles means, telecommunication means and technical equipment, office premises.

18. The state and municipal television and/or radio broadcasters, and/or editors editorial offices of state and municipal periodical print media shall provide commissions, free air time for information of voters, referendum participants, in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, other laws,of voters, referendum participants as well as free space in print media for publication of the commissions’ decisions and acts, placement of other printed information. Related The expenditures of television and radio broadcasters and editors editorial offices of periodical print media are shjall be governed effected in accordance with theby procedure established by Clause 10, Article 50 of this Federal Law.

19. State bodies, bodies of local self-government, public associations, organizations of all forms of ownership, including television and/or radio broadcasters (hereinafter the "TV and radio broadcasting organizations"), editors editorial offices of periodical printed media, and officials of these bodies and organizations shall provide commissions with necessary information and materials, respond to applications of made by commissions within five days but not later than the day preceding voting day, and immediately if an application is made on the day preceding voting day and on voting day, immediately. Such The said information and materials shall be provided to commissions free of charge.

Article 21. Procedure for Formation and Status of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation

1. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be a federal state body organizing the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums in the Russian Federation in accordance with its powers established by this Federal Law, other federal laws.

2. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall operate on a permanent basis and shall be a legal entity.

3. The term of powers of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be four years. In the eventIf the term of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation expires in the periodin the period of an election campaign, in the periodin the period between the setting announcement of a referendum of the Russian Federation and the end of the referendum campaign organized by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the term of powers of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be extended until the end of the election campaign, referendum campaign. This provision shall not apply to repeat elections or by-elections of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation in single-seat electoral districts.

4. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall consist of fifteen members. Five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be appointed by the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation out offrom among the candidates proposed by the factions, other associations of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, or by individual deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Each association of deputies in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation may appoint not more than one representative. Five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be appointed by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation out offrom among the candidates nominated by the legislative (representative) bodies of state power of subjects of Russian Federation and top officials executives of subjects of the Russian Federation (the heads of the highest executive bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation). Five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be appointed by the President of the Russian Federation.

5. Members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall must have higher legal education or an advanced academic degree in law.

6. Members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall organize work by in specific areas of activity of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation defined by the Rules of Procedure of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, and shall bear responsibility for the results of work in the said areas.

7. Members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall elect, out offrom among their number members and by secret ballot , the Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation and the Secretary of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

8. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be theact as an election commission organizing elections to elections of federal bodies of state power, and the as a referendum commission organizing referendums of the Russian Federation.

9. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall:

а) exercise control over the observance of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum;

b) develop standard quotas for technological equipment required for the work of commissions, approve these standard quotas, and exercise control over observance thereof, and arrange for the placement of orders for manufacturing of such standard technological equipment;

c) ensure the implementation of measures related to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums, improvement of the electoral system in the Russian Federation; introduction, operation, and improvement of means of automation, legal education of voters, professional training of commission members, and other individuals involved in organization of elections, referendums, publication of requisite required printed materials;

d) implement measures aimed at ensuring a uniform procedure for allocation of air time and space in print media between to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for the purposes of election campaigning, between to the referendum initiative group and other groups of referendum participants for the purposes of campaigning on issuesquestions of the referendum, tallying determination of the vote returns, establishment of the results of elections, referendums, and as well as ensuring the procedure for publication of the voting vote resultsreturns, the outcomes results of elections, referendums;

e) implement measures aimed at arranging for the funding of the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums; distribute the funds allocated from the federal budget as financial support to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums; control the proper use of the above funds;

f) render legal, methodological, organizational, and technical support to commissions;

g) implement international cooperation in the field of electoral systems;

h) hear the information of federal bodies of executive power, executive bodies of subjects of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government on issues related to the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of federal bodies of state power and referendums of the Russian Federation;

i) set standards by which lists of voters, referendum participants and other electoral documents and documents related to the preparation and conduct of referendums are to be produced;

j) consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) about against decisions and actions (omissions) of lower commissions, and take reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

k) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law, other federal laws.

10. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall consider complaints appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation and officials thereof that are claimed to have violatinged the electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in referendums at elections to elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, referendums of subjects of the Russian Federation, elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums in accordance with Clause 7, Article 75 of this Federal Law.

11. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall, within the limits of the funds allocated to it under the federal law on the federal budget for the relevant fiscal year in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation, determine the amount of and set the procedure for compensation of workers of institutions and organizations established to support its operation.

12. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, in conjunctiontogether with federal bodies of state power, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of executive power of subjects of the Russian Federation, and bodies of local self-government shall organize a state system of registration of voters, referendum participants and be involvedtake part in the implementation of such registration.

13. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, within the scope of its authoritycompetence, shall be entitled to issue binding binding manualsinstructions on issuesrelated to the of uniform application of this Federal Law.

14. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be entitled to issue conclusions on compliance of laws and other regulations of subjects of the Russian Federation with this Federal Law and other federal laws that govern the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and their right to participate in a referendum.

15. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall have its official printed bulletin.

Article 22. General Terms and Conditions of Formation of Election Commissions of Subjects of the Russian Federation, Election Commissions of Municipalities, District Election Commissions, Territorial, Precinct Commissions

1. Election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipality election commissions, district election commissions, territorial, precinct commissions shall be formed on the basis of proposals from made by political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the legislative (representative) body of state power of the relevant subject of the Russian Federation, public associations.

2. Election commissions of municipalities, district election commissions for elections to elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, territorial, precinct commissions shall be formed on the basis of proposals specified in Clause 1 of this article, and proposals made by electoral associations, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the representative body of local self-government.

3. In the event of early termination of powers of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, or representative body of self-government, the right to make proposals concerning the candidaturescies for members of election commissions shall be retained by electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, the representative body of local self-government of the last convocation, and such proposals shall be subject to consideration in accordance with the procedure provided for by Clause 7, Article 23, Clause 8, Article 24, Clause 7, Article 25, Clause 7, Article 26, Clause 5, Article 27 of this Federal Law.

4. Not more than one representative of each political party, electoral or other public association, electoral bloc may be appointed member of an election commission. A political party, an electoral association, another public association, an electoral bloc shall not be entitled to nominate simultaneously at a time, more than one candidaturescies for appointment as member of a commission.

5. State and municipal officials shall not constitute more than 1/3 of the total number of members of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, the a municipality election commissionof a municipality, a district election commission, a territorial or precinct commission. This provision may be inapplicable to the formation of precinct commissions at int electoral precincts established in on the territories of military units located in isolated remote areas or outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

6. The body that appoints appointing a citizen of the Russian Federation duly nominated as a commission member in accordance with the requirements established by this Federal Law a member of a commission shall obtain a written consent of this citizen of the Russian Federation to become a member of the relevant commission.

7. In the eventIf bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, commissions, duly authorized to do so by this Federal Lawbodies of state power, bodies of local self-government commissions fail to appoint all or some members of a commission within the period prescribed established by law, or In the eventon the relevant territory no if such body of state power, body of local self-government is not available on the relevant territory, or In the eventif the relevant commission has not been formed, all or some members of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation shall be appointed by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; of the commission of a municipality - by the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation; of another commission - by a higher commission in compliance with the requirements of this Federal Law and the other laws.

8. Law shall establish periodsThe period within which commissions must be formed, and periods the period for acceptance of during which nominations for membership in commissions are acceptedshall be set by law. For commissions operating on a permanent basis, the period, of within which nomination acceptance bythe bodies forming such commissions shall accept nominations, shall not be shorter than one month, and not shorter than ten days for the other commissions, not shorter than ten days.

Article 23. Procedure of Formation and Powers of Election Commissions of Subjects of the Russian Federation

1. Election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation shall be state bodies of subjects of the Russian Federation that organize the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums of the Russian Federation within the scope of their competence established by this Federal Law, other federal laws, and laws of subjects of the Russian Federation.

2. The election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation shall operate on a permanent basis and shall be legal entities.

3. The term of powers of election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation shall be four years. In the eventIf the term of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation expires in the periodin the period of an election campaign, in the periodin the period between calling announcement of a referendum and the end of the referendum campaign where this commission is involvedtakes part, the term of its powers shall be extended until the end of the election campaign, referendum campaign. This provision shall not apply to repeat elections or by-elections of deputies of the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation.

4. The number of voting members of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be set by the constitution (charter), the law of the subject of the Russian Federation and shall not be smaller than 10 and greater than 14.

5. The election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be formed by the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation and the top executive of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation) on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 1, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made by representative bodies of local self-government, the previous election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, and the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

6. One hHalf of the members of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be appointed by the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, the other half, by the top executive of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation).

7. Both the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation and the top executive of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation) shall appoint at least a half of the total number of members of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, appointed by them, on the basis of nominations proproposals made posed by:

а) political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated federal lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;

b) political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation.

8. In the event of an early termination of powers of a member of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation appointed by recommendation of a political party, an electoral bloc in accordance with Clause 2 of this article, the vacancy shall be filled by a nominee of the same political party or electoral bloc if such party or bloc make such nomination.

9. Both the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation and the top executive of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation) shall appoint at least one member of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals received from the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

10. The election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation shall:

а) exercise, on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation exercise control over the observance of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum;

b) on instructions of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, develop standard quotas for technological equipment required for work of commissions, approve these standard quotas, and arrange for the placement of orders for manufacturing of such standard technological equipment; on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation exercise, on the territory control over the observance of the standards of technological equipment required to support the operation of commissions;

c) on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, ensure the implementation of measures related to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums, improvement of the electoral system in the Russian Federation; introduction, operation, and improvement of means of automation, legal education of voters, professional training of commission members, and other individuals involved in organization of elections, referendums, publication of requisite required printed materials;

d) on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, implement measures aimed at ensuring a uniform procedure for allocation of air time and space in print media between to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for purposes of election campaigning, between to the referendum initiative group and other groups of referendum participants for the purposes of campaigning on issuesquestions of the referendum, tallying determination of the vote returns, establishment of the results of elections, referendums, and as well as the procedure for publication of the voting vote resultsreturns, the outcomes results of elections, referendums;

e) on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, implement measures aimed at arranging for allocation of funds for the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, referendums of the subject of the Russian Federation; distribute the funds allocated from the federal budget, the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation as financial support to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums; exercise control over the proper use of the above funds;

f) approve the list of territorial commissions;

g) render legal, methodological, organizational, and technical support to lower commissions;

h) hear reports of bodies of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government on issues related to the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, and referendums of the subject of the Russian Federation, local referendums;

i) on instructions of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, set standards governing according to whichthe printing of lists of voters, referendum participants and other electoral documents and documents related to the preparation and conduct of referendums shall be printed;

j) consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) related toagainst decisions and actions (omissions) of lower commissions, and adopts reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

k) be involvedparticipate in organization of a state system of registration of voters, referendum participants, and in implementation of this such registration;

l) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitution (charter) of the subject of the Russian Federation.

11. The election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall consider complaints appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of municipality election commissions municipalities and officials thereof that are claimed to have violated violating the electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in referendums in the conduct of at elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums in accordance with Clause 7, Article 75 of this Federal Law.

12. The election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation may have its official printed bulletin.

Article 24. Procedure of Formation and Powers of Municipality Election Commissions

1. An election commission organizing, under the law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality, the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of local self-government shall be the municipality election commission.

2. The position of the municipality election commission in the system of bodies of local self-government shall be determined by laws of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality.

3. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a the municipality, a regulatory act of the body of local self-government may assign the status of a legal entity to an municipality election commission of the municipality.

4. By a decision of the relevant election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation taken on the basis of an application made by the representative body of local self-government of a municipality, the territorial commission may be vested with the powers of the election commission of such municipality. In the eventIf more than one territorial commission are is formed on the territory of a municipality, none oneof them may be vested with the powers of the municipality election commission. In this case, the municipality election commission shall be established as a separate entity. This provision shall not apply if more than oneseveral territorial commissions are formed in relation connection with theto the formation of territorial commissions to direct the operation of precinct commissions established on ships, at polar stations or electoral precincts, referendum precincts established outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

5. The term of powers of the a municipality election commission shall be four years. In the event the term of powers of the municipality election commission expires in the periodin the period of an election campaign, n the periodin the period between the setting announcement of a referendum and the end of the referendum campaign where in which this commission is involvedtakes part, the term of its powers shall be extended until the end of the election campaign, referendum campaign. This provision shall not apply to repeat elections or by-elections of deputies of the representative body of local self-government.

6. The number of voting members of the a municipality election commission shall be set by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation or the charter of the municipality.

7. The municipality election commission shall be formed by the representative body of local self-government on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 2, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made at meetings of voters at places of their residence, work, service, study, proposals made by the previous municipality election commission, the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation

8. The representative body of local self-government shall appoint at least one half of the total number of members of the a municipality election commission on the basis of nominations proposedproposals made by:

а) political parties, electoral blocs that nominated federal lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation;

c) political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the representative body of local self-government.

9. The representative body of local self-government shall appoint at least two members of the a municipality election commission on the basis of proposals received from the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation.

10. The A municipality election commission of the municipality shall:

а) exercise, on the territory of the municipality, exercise control over the observance of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum;

b) on the territory of the municipality, ensure the implementation of measures related to the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums, publication of requisite required printed materials;

c) on the territory of the municipality, implement measures aimed at ensuring , during at elections to elections of elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums, a uniform procedure for allocation of air time and space in print media between to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for the purposes of election campaigning, between to the referendum initiative group and other groups of referendum participants for the purposes of campaigning on issuesquestions of the referendum;

d) on the territory of the municipality, implement measures aimed at ensuring , during at elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums, a uniform procedure for tallying determination of the vote returns, establishment of the results of elections, referendums;

e) on the territory of the municipality, implement measures aimed at ensuring , during at elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums, a uniform procedure for publication of the voting results, the outcomes results of elections, referendums;

f) on the territory of the municipality, implement measures aimed at arranging for the funding of the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums; distribute the funds allocated from the local budget and/or the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation as for financial support to of the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, local referendums; supervise exercise control over the appropriate proper use of the above funds;

g) provide legal, methodological, organizational, and technical support to lower commissions;

h) hear reports of bodies of local self-government on issues related to the preparation and conduct of elections to elections of bodies of local self-government, and referendums of the subject of the Russian Federation, local referendums;

i) consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) related toagainst decisions and actions (omissions) of lower commissions, and take reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

j) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law, the constitution (charter), laws of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality.

Article 25. Procedure of Formation and Powers of District Election Commissions

1. District election commissions shall be formed in the cases as provided for by law in conducting when electionss are held in single-seat and/or multi-seat electoral districts. The powers of district election commissions may be assigned vested into other election commissions.

2. The term of powers of district election commissions shall expire on the day of the official publication of a decision calling to call the next respective relevant election.

3. The number of voting members of district election commissions for elections to elections of federal bodies of state power shall be determined established by the federal law. The number of voting members of district commissions for elections to elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government shall be set established by a law of the subject of the Russian Federation.

4. A district election commission for elections to elections of federal bodies of state power shall be formed by the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 1, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made by representative bodies of local self-government, the previous district election commission.

5. In forming a district election commission for elections to elections of federal bodies of state power, the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation shall appoint at least one half of the total number of members of such district election commission on the basis of nominations proposedproposals made by:

6. A district election commission for elections to elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government shall be formed by the higher commission on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 2, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made by representative bodies of local self-government, and proposals made at meetings of voters at places of their residence, work, service, study.

7. The higher election commission shall appoint at least one half of the total number of members of the a district election commission for elections to elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government of the a municipality on the basis of nominations proposedproposals made by:

c) electoral associations, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the representative body of local self-government.

8. A district election commission shall:

а) exercise, on the territory exercise control over the observance of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation on the territory of the electoral district;

b) work in conjunction with bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government on issues related to the preparation and conduct of elections in the electoral district;

c) register candidates;

d) approve the text of the ballot in the electoral district;

e) exercise control over compliance with the uniform procedure for vote-counting, determination of vote returns and establishment of election results on the territory of the electoral district;

f) determine the election results for the electoral district;

g) publish (make public) the outcome results of an election for the electoral district in the relevant mass media;

h) provide legal and administrative/technical assistance to lower commissions;

i) consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) related to decisions and actions (omissions) of lower commissions, and take reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

j) exercise other powers in accordance with the law.

Article 26. Procedure of Formation and the Powers of Territorial Commissions

1. The position of territorial election commissions in the system of state bodies in subjects of the Russian Federation shall be determined by laws of the a subject of the Russian Federation.

2. Territorial commissions shall operate on a permanent basis.

3. The term of powers of territorial commissions shall be four years. In the eventIf the term of powers of a territorial commission expires in the periodin the period of an election campaign, in the periodin the period between calling announcement of a referendum and the end of the referendum campaign where in which this commission is involvedtakes part, the term of its powers shall be extended until the end of the election campaign, referendum campaign.

4. A The law of the a subject of the Russian Federation may assign confer the status of a legal entity to on a territorial commission. By a decision of the appropriate election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation adopted in agreementwith the concurrence of with the representative body of local self-government, the relevant municipality election commission may be vested with the powers of a territorial commission.

5. Territorial commissions shall be formed to haveconsist of five to nine voting members.

6. A territorial commission shall be formed by the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 2, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made by representative bodies of local self-government, meetings of voters at places of their residence, work, service, study, proposals made by the previous territorial commissions.

7. The election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation shall appoint at least one half of the total number of members of a territorial commission on the basis of nominations proposedproposals made by:

c) political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the representative body of local self-government.

8. Within a singlethe boundaries of one administrative-territorial unit with a large number of voters, more than oneseveral territorial commissions may be formed, the decision on their formation shall be taken by the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation in agreementwith the concurrence of with the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. The election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation shall have the rightbe entitled to form one or more territorial commissions to direct the operation of precinct commissions formed in electoral precincts, referendum precincts established on ships, at polar stations. In cases specified by the federal law, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall have the rightbe entitled to form one or more territorial commissions to direct the operation of precinct commissions formed at in electoral precincts, referendum precincts established outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

9. A territorial commission shall:

а) exercise, on the relevant territory, exercise control over the observance of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation of citizens to participate in a referendum;

b) on the relevant territory, ensure compliance with the standard quotas of the technological equipment needed required to supportfor the operation of commissions;

c) on the relevant territory, ensure the implementation of measures related to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums, improvement of the electoral system in the Russian Federation; introduction, operation, and improvement of means of automation, legal education of voters, professional training of commission members, and other individuals involved in organization of elections, referendums;

d) on the relevant territory, implement measures aimed at ensuring a uniform procedure for tallying determination of the vote returns;

e) distribute the funds allocated to it from the federal budget, the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation as for financial support to of the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum; oversee exercise control over the appropriate proper use of such funds;

f) provide legal, methodological, organizational, and technical support to lower commissions;

g) hear reports of bodies of executive power of the subject of the Russian Federation and bodies of local self-government on issues related to the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum;

h) consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) related toagainst decisions and actions (omissions) of lower commissions, and take reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

i) exercise other powers in accordance with this Federal Law, other federal laws, the constitution (charter), laws of the subject of the Russian Federation.

Article 27. Procedure of Formation and the Powers of Precinct Commissions

1. Precinct commissions shall be formed during in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign at the time established by law in order to ensure the process of voting by voters, referendum participants, and counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants.

2. The powers of a precinct commission shall expire ten days after the day of official publication of the results of an election, a referendum, if no complaints (applications) and protests have been received by the higher election commission against decisions and actions (omissions) of the given election commission, which resulted in the violation of the voting and the vote-counting procedure and also if these facts are not being investigated by a court. If the vote returns have been contested, the powers of a precinct election commission shall expire after a court or the higher election commission hands down a final decision on the substance of the complaint (application) or the protest.

3. The number of voting members of precinct commissions shall be set by law.

4. A precinct commission shall be formed by the higher commission on the basis of proposals referred to in Clause 2, Article 22 of this Federal Law and proposals made by the representative body of local self-government, meetings of voters at places of their residence, work, service, study.

5. The higher commission shall appoint at least one half of the total number of members of a precinct commission on the basis of nominations proposed by:

c) political parties, electoral blocs that have nominated lists of candidates included in the distribution of deputy seats in the representative body of local self-government.

6. A precinct commission shall:

а) inform the population about the address and telephone number of the precinct commission, its working hours, and about the day, time, and place of voting;

b) update the list of voters, referendum participants, arrange for voters, referendum participants to inspect this list;, consider statements about mistakes and inaccuracies in this list and makes required correction therein;

c) prepare the voting premises, ballot boxes, and other equipment;

d) inform voters about registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that have registered their lists of candidates, inform referendum participants about the issues of the referendum questions on the basis of the information received from the higher commission;

e) exercise control over compliance with the rules for election campaigning, campaigning on the issues of the referendum questions on the territory of the electoral precinct, the referendum precinct;

f) issue absentee certificates;

g) at the polling station, the referendum polling station, organize voting on voting day, and early voting;

h) count votes, determine vote returns for the electoral precinct, the referendum precinct, complete the protocol of vote returns, and deliver it to the territorial commission;

i) announce the vote returns in for the electoral precinct, the referendum precinct, and issues certified copies of the protocol of vote returns or certify such copies for persons who observed the progress of the voting;

j) within the scope of its competence, consider complaints appeals (applicationsgrievances) about violations of this Federal Law, other laws, and take reasoned decisions on such appeals (grievances)complaints (applications);

k) in the eventif any delinquencies infractions are found, compile protocols of administrative offences (prepare materials for such protocols), and forward these protocols to law enforcement authorities or the court, in accordance with the regulations on administrative offences;

l) ensure the safe keeping and transfer to higher commissions of documents relating to the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum;

m) exercise other powers in accordance with the law.

Article 28. Organization of Operation of Commissions

1. Commissions shall operate on a collective basis.

2. A commission shall be qualified to start functioning if at least two thirds of the total predetermined established number of its members have been appointed.

3. A commission operating on a permanent basis shall convene its first meeting not later than on the fifteenth day after the decision on the appointment of its voting members is adopted. In this case, at least two- thirds of the total number of its members shall be appointed. The powers of the previous commission shall cease as of the date of the first meeting of the new commission. The term of powers of a commission shall be countedcommence from the date of its first meeting.

4. The chairman of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be elected by secret ballot at its the commission’s first meeting from among voting members of the election commission at theon the basis of the proposal nomination made byof the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

5. The chairman of the a municipality election commission shall be elected by secret ballot at its first meeting from among voting members of the election commission in accordance with the following procedure:

a) in the event there is a nomination by if the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation has made the nomination, according to at the nomination of the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation;

b) in the event there is no nomination byif the election commission of the a subject of the Russian Federation has not made the nomination, at nominationsaccording to the nomination made by by voting members of the municipality election commission.

6. If a candidature for the chairman of a commission nominated by the commission is rejected, the election commission that made the nomination in accordance with Clauses 4 and 5 of this article shall nominate another candidature from among the voting members of the commission.

7. Chairmen of district, territorial, and precinct commissions shall be appointed from among voting members of such commissions and may be removed by the commissions of the next higher level.

8. The deputy chairman and the secretary of a commission shall be elected by secret ballot at the commission’s first meeting from among voting members of the commission.

9. Meetings of a commission shall be convened by its chairman as frequently as required. A meeting shall also be held if requested by at least one- third of the established number of voting members of the commission.

10. A voting member of a commission shall attend at all meetings of the commission.

11. A meeting of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be valid competent if attended by at least ten voting members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. A meeting of another commission shall be valid competent if attended by a majority of the established number of voting members of this commission.

12. Upon request of any member of a commission or any member of a higher commission present at the meeting, the commission shall take a vote on any matter within its competence that is considered by the commission at the meeting in accordance with the approved agenda.

13. Decisions of a commission regarding nomination, election or removal of its chairman, deputy chairman and secretary, regarding issues of financial support of the preparation and conduct of elections and referendums, registration of candidates, lists of candidates, bringing legal actions for cancellation of the registration of candidates, vote returns or election results, referendum results, declaring an election or referendum as not having taken place or invalid, as well as decisions regarding repeat voting or repeat election, cancellation of a decision of a commission in the procedure provided for by Clause 11, Article 20 and Clauses 6 and 7, Article 75 of this Federal Law shall be made taken at a meeting of the commission its meeting by a majority of the established number of voting members of the commission. Decisions on removal of the chairman, the deputy chairman, or the secretary who were elected to occupy these offices shall be made taken by secret ballot (except when these officials are removed at their personal request), and election of a new chairman, deputy chairman, or secretary of the commission shall take place in accordance with the procedure established by Clauses 4, 5, 6, and 8 of this article.

14. A commission shall take decisions on other issues by a majority of the votes of the present voting members of the commission.

15. In the event of a tie vote, the vote of the chairman (the person chairing the meeting) of the commission shall be have a casting vote.

16. Decisions of a commission shall be signed by its chairman and secretary (the person chairing the meeting and the meeting’s secretary).

17. Voting members of a commission who disagree withdissent from a decision made taken by the commission, shall be entitled to express in writing their dissenting opinion which shall be considered by the commission, recorded in the minutes, attached thereto, and brought by the commission chairman to the notice of the higher commission not later than three days after the decision is madetaken, and immediately if submitted on voting day or the day following voting day.

18. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipality election commissions of municipalities, territorial commissions that operate on a permanent basis and are legal entities shall have their staff, the structure and staffing plan of which shall be set by such commissions on their ownindependently. Staff officers employees of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall have the status of federal state employees. FillingOccupying, by staff officers employees of the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, territorial commissions, municipality election commissions of municipalities that operate on a permanent basis and are legal entities, of, respectively, offices of state service of subjects of the Russian Federation, offices of municipal service shall be governed by laws and other regulatory acts of subjects of the Russian Federation, the charters of municipalities, and other regulatory acts of bodies of local self-government. Levels of financial support (including the size and nature of monetary compensations, other benefits) and social support of commission staff officers employees filling offices of state service or municipal service shall be established, respectively, by the federal laws and other regulatory acts of the Russian Federation, laws and other regulatory acts of subjects of the Russian Federation, regulatory acts of bodies of local self-government. Federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government shall take necessary measures to provide financial and social support (including medical, recreational, housing, pension support, and other types of support) of commission staff officersemployees.

19. Commissions may engage involve citizens on a contractual basis in order to perform work related to the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums.

Article 29. Status of Commission Members

1. Persons falling into any of the following categories shall not be voting members of commissions:

a) persons that are not citizens of the Russian Federation;

b) citizens of the Russian Federation who have been declared, by a legally effective court decision that has come into legal force, legally incapable or having limited capability;

c) citizens of the Russian Federation under the age of 18 years;

d) deputies of legislative (representative) bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government;

e) elective officials;

f) judges, prosecutors;

g) at relevant elections, candidates, their authorized representatives and agents, authorized representatives and agents of electoral associations, electoral blocs that have nominated candidates;

h) at relevant referendums, members and authorized representatives of referendum initiative groups;

i) at relevant elections, referendums, non-voting members of commissions;

j) at relevant elections, spouses and close relatives of candidates, close relatives of candidates’ spouses;

k) persons directly subordinated to candidates;

l) persons removed from commissions by a court decision;

m) persons who have previous convictions that have not been cancelled or annuledannulled, and persons who have been subjected by court to an administrative penalty for a violation of regulations governing elections and referendums, within one year after of the effective date of the court decision (ruling) on the administrative penalty.

2. Provisions of Ssub-Cclauses g), j), and k) of Clause 1 of this article shall not apply to members of precinct, territorial or district election commissions if the candidate is nominated or registered in another electoral district.

3. Under this Federal Law, direct subordination is construed as service-related or work-related relationship between a superior and a subordinate, whereby the superior has, in relation to the subordinate, powers or managerial authorities, i.e. has the right to employ or dismiss the subordinate or, within his position-related authority, issue to the subordinate binding orders, instructions, or directions, reward the subordinate or subject him to disciplinary penalties.

4. A voting member of a commission shall not, at one and the same election, referendum, be a voting member of another commission.

5. The term of powers of voting members of a commission shall expire at the same time as with the expiration of the powers of the commission of which they are members.

6. A voting member of a commission shall be relieved cease from the duties of to act as a commission’s member by a decision of the same body that appointed him if:

a) the commission member files a written resignation;

b) there emerged grounds referred to in Clauses 1 and 4 of this article, except suspension of a commission member under Clause 7 of this article and instances referred to in Ssub-cClauses a), b), and m), of Clause 1 of this article have arisen.

7. In the event there emergedIf the grounds referred to in Sub-clause j) of Clause 1 of this article have arisen, powers of a voting member of a commission who works on a permanent (staff) basis shall be suspended by a decision of the relevant commission, provided such suspension does not legally disqualifymake the composition of the commission such that it is not competent to exercise its powers the commission. In the event such suspension of a commission member renders the commission disqualifiedIf such suspension of powers makes the composition of the commission such that it is not competent to exercise its powers, powers of such member of the commission member shall be terminated by a decision of the body that appointed him .

8. Powers of a voting member of a commission shall be terminated immediately if:

a) the commission member ceases to be a citizen of the Russian Federation;

b) a guilty verdict of a court against the commission member, or a court ruling subjecting the commission member to an administrative penalty for a violation of laws and regulationsthe legislation governing elections and referendums becomes legally effectivehas come into legal force;

c) a legally effective court ruling declares the commission member is declared by a court decision that has come into legal force legally incapable, having limited legal capability, missing, or dead;

d) the commission member dies;

e) the commission member is declared byon the basis of an application of the relevant commission, a legally effective court decision declares that has come into legal force the commission member systematically fails to perform his dutieson the basis of an application of the relevant commission as systematically ignoring his duties.

9. Powers of a voting member of a commission shall also be terminated in the event of the commission’s dissolution under Article 31 of this Federal Law.

10. In the eventIf the body that appointed a commission member fails to take a decision on early termination of powers of this commission member within one month, and in the period of an election campaign, within ten days from the date of on which receipt by this body of received a written resignation of the commission member or emergence of other grounds preventing him from performing his duties have arisen, the decision to terminate powers of this such commission member shall be taken by the commission of which he is a member within three days from of the expiration date of the above periods.

11. The body that appointed a commission member shall appoint a new commission member in the place of the member withdrawn on the grounds referred to in Clauses 6 and 8 of this article not later than in a month, and in the period of an election campaign, the period from calling a referendum until the end of the referendum campaign, not later than ten days after of the date of his termination withdrawal in accordance with the provisions of Clause 4, Article 21, Articles 22-27 of this Federal Law. In the eventIf this requirement fails to be fulfilled, a new member of the commission shall be appointed by the higher commission in accordance with provisions of this Federal Law.

12. The Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and Secretary of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, the chairman of another commission that operates on a permanent basis and is a legal entity shall work for the relevant commission on a permanent (staff) basis. The chairman of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall must have higher education in law or an advanced academic degree in law.

13. Except forBesides the members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation referred to in Clause 12 of this article, voting members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may work for the commission on a permanent (staff) basis.

14. Except forBesides the commission members referred to in Clause 12 of this article, the possibility of working on a permanent (staff) basis for voting members of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, voting members of the a municipality election commission of a municipality, a territorial commission that operate on a permanent basis and are legal entities, and the size and nature of monetary compensation of voting members of the said commissions that work on a permanent (staff) basis, other benefits to these commission members shall be established by laws, other regulatory acts of subjects of the Russian Federation, the charters of municipalities, regulatory acts of bodies of local self-government.

15. A voting member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation who works for this the commission on a permanent (staff) basis, shall occupy a state office of the Russian Federation. A voting member of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation who works for the commission on a permanent (staff) basis, a voting member of another election commission that operates on a permanent basis and is a legal entity shall occupy, in accordance with a law, another regulatory act of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the a municipality, another regulatory act of the body of local self-government, respectively, a state office of the subject of the Russian Federation, a municipal office. Such persons shall not hold other offices in bodies of state power, state bodies, bodies of local self-government, be involved in business or another paid activity, with the exceptions of teaching, scientific, or other creative activities.

16. Federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government shall adopt take necessary measures to provide financial and social support (including medical, recreational, housing, pension support, and other types of support) of persons listed in Clauses 12-14 of this article. The level of financial support (including the size and nature of monetary compensation, other benefits) and social support of the above persons shall not be lower than the level of financial and social support established for persons filling state offices of category A respectively in a federal executive body of state power, a legislative (representative) or executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, municipal offices in a representative body of local self-government. The size and nature of monetary compensation and other benefits provided to the said persons shall be established, respectively, by the federal laws and other regulatory acts of the Russian Federation, laws and other regulatory acts of subjects of the Russian Federation, charters of municipalities, and other regulatory acts of bodies of local self-government.

17. A voting member of a commission may be eligible entitled to extra compensation (remuneration) for his work for the commission in the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum. A voting member of a commission who has been relieved, at the request of the commission, from his main job for the period of the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum, shall retain his main job (office) and be compensated for the period during which he was relieved from his main job. The size of and the procedure for payment of such compensation and extra compensation (remuneration) shall be established by the commission organizing the respective election, referendum out offrom and within the limits of the funds allocated from budgets for the conduct of such election, referendum.

18. A voting member of a commission shall not be subjected to criminal prosecution, administrative penalties imposed in a court procedurejudicially without consent of the prosecutor of a subject of the Russian Federation, and a voting member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the chairman of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, without consent of the General Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation.

19. A voting member of a commission, a non-voting member of a commission member shall not be dismissed from his job on the initiative of his employer or transferred to a different job without his consent respectively before the expiration of his powers and in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign.

20. As ofFrom the day of filing documents for registration, a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc that nominated candidates shall be entitled to appoint one non-voting member to of the election commission registering the candidate, a the list of candidates, and each lower election commission. Each electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated a registered candidate shall also be entitled to appoint a non-voting member to of the election commission organizing the relevant election. Elected Elective officials, commanding officers of military units, military organizations or institutions , judges, and prosecutors shall not be appointed non-voting members of election commissions.

21. After the official publication of a decision to call a referendum taken by a duly body authorized to do sobody to call a referendum, the referendum initiative group the and electoral associations (including those that are part of electoral blocs), the lists of candidates of which have been included in the distribution of deputy seats in the legislative (representative) body of state power, the representative body of local self-government in accordance with the level of the referendum, or in a legislative (representative) body of a higher level, shall be entitled to appoint one non-voting member of referendum commission to the relevant and each lower referendum commission one non-voting member of the referendum commission. Elected Elective officials, commanding officers of military units, military organizations or institutions , judges, and prosecutors shall not be appointed non-voting members of referendum commissions.

22. A non-voting commission member member of a commission shall have the same rights as a voting member of a commission, save with the exception to the rights to:

a) issue and sign ballots, absentee certificates;

b) participate in sorting out, counting, and canceling of ballots;

c) compile the protocol of vote returns, the election resultsof an election, a, referendum election;

d) participate in the voting on the matters which are within the scope of competence of the relevant commission, and sign the commission’s decisions.

The provisions contained in this cClause shall not serve a be used as a reason for refusing a non-voting member of a commission the right to be present at the performance of any actions mentioned in this cClause.

23. A voting member of a commission and a non-voting member of a commission member shall:

a) receive timely notices about meetings of the relevant commission;

b) speak at the commission’s meetings, make proposals on issues falling within the scope of competence of the relevant commission, and request that these matters be put to the vote;

c) put questions to other participants in the commission’s meeting in accordance with the agenda, and receive meaningful answers to these questions;

d) inspect documents and materials (including lists of voters, referendum participants, with signature sheets, financial statements of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, ballots) that are directly connected to the election, the referendum, including documents and materials on a machine-readable media, held byof the relevant commission or lower commissions, and receive copies of such documents and materials (with the exception of ballots, absentee certificates, lists of voters, referendum participants, signature sheets, other documents and materials containing confidential information classified as such in accordance with the procedure established by the federal law), and request thathave such copies be certified;

e) make sure that the number of voters who took part in the voting has been calculated correctly according to the voters list and that the ballots have been correctly sorted out in accordance with candidates, political parties, electoral blocs, options of replying to the question of the referendum;

f) appeal actions (omissions) of the commission in the relevant higher commission or a court.

24. The powers of non-voting members of an election commission operating on a permanent basis, who have been appointed by candidates who have been elected the election,by or electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated the lists of candidates who have been included in the distribution of deputy seats, shall continue until the end of registration of candidates, lists of candidates at the next election to election of the same body or to of the same office. The powers of other non-voting members of a commission operating on a permanent basis shall expire 30 days after the official publication of the results of the election conducted in on the respective territory within the relevant election campaign. Powers of non-voting members of the other election commissions, referendum commissions shall expire at the same time as the powers of such commissions. In the eventIf the registration of a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc (registration of a list of candidates) is refused, or registration of a candidate, a list of candidates nominated by a political party, an electoral bloc is annulled , the powers of non-voting members of the election commission shall cease as of the day of such refusal or annulment of registration of the respective candidate, list of candidates, and In the eventif the decision about the refusal of registration is appealed in a court, as offrom the effective date ofday on which the court ruling decision regarding the lawfulness of the refusal of registration came into legal force.

25. A non-voting commission member shall, within the period of his powers, have the rights granted conferred by this article in relation to the preparation and conduct of all elections and referendums in which this commission is involved.

26. The powers of a non-voting commission member may be terminated by a decision of the person or body that appointed such commission member, and transferred to another person.

27. Elected candidates and electoral associations, electoral blocs the whose lists of candidates nominated by which have been included in the distribution of deputy seats shall, for the period of powers of the deputy, the official, retain the right to appoint non-voting members of election commissions operating on a permanent basis, including the right to appoint replacements to withdrawn members.

Article 30. Openness in Activities of Commissions

1. Members of higher commissions, a candidate registered by the given or a higher commission or his agent, an authorized representative or an agent of the electoral association, electoral bloc whose list of candidates has been registered by this or a higher commission or a candidate from the said list, a member or an authorized representative of the referendum initiative group may attend all meetings of the commission, and when the appropriate precinct, territorial commissions are working on lists of voters, referendum participants, ballots, absentee certificates, protocols on vote returns. The aforementioned persons shall not need any additional permission to attend the meetings and be present when the election commission is working with the said electoral documentssessions of work with the aforementioned election-related documents, documents related to the preparation and conduct of a referendum. The commission shall inform the aforementioned se persons and provide free access for themof to its meetings and sessions of workto the premises where the commission is working with the aforementioned election-relatedelectoral documents, documents related to the preparation and conduct of a referendum and shall provide free access for the aforementioned persons to such meetings and sessions. Members of the press may also be present at all meetings of the commissions, when it is working with the said documents and counting votes cast by voters, referendum participantsThe meetings, sessions of work with the aforementioned election-related documents, documents related to the preparation and conduct of a referendum, and counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants may also be attended by members of the press .

2. Decisions of commissions that are directly related to the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum shall be published in state-owned or municipal periodic print media or otherwise communicated to voters, referendum participants in another way, and provided to other mass media in the scopein the scope and within the periods established by law.

3. On voting day from the time the precinct commission begins its work and until it is notified by the higher commission about acceptance of the protocol of vote returns and also when votes cast by voters, referendum participants are recounted, the persons referred to in Clause 1 of this article as well as observers, foreign (international) observers may be present at the polling stations.

4. At an election, an observer may be appointed by a registered candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, public association that must be established and registered at a level corresponding with the level of the election, or on a higher level. In a referendum, an observer may be appointed by the referendum initiative group, a public association that must have beenbe established and registered at a level corresponding with the level of the referendum or on a higher level. Elective officials, their direct subordinates, judges, and prosecutors shall not be appointed observers.

5. Access to the premises of the precinct commission of in any election precinct, referendum precinct formed on the territory of a military unit, closed administrative-territorial unit, at a hospital, sanatorium, holiday hotel, investigation and pretrial detention wards and to the polling station in this election precinct, referendum precinct shall be provided to all members of the precinct commission, persons indicated in Clause 1 of this article, observers.

6. Observers, foreign (international) observers may be present at other commissions when they are conducting early voting, determining vote returns, results of elections, compiling relevant protocols on vote returns, election results or when votes are being recounted.

7. The powers of an observer shall be certified by written credentials issued by a registered candidate or his agent, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, a public association, the referendum initiative group represented by the observer. The credentials must indicate the surname, first name and patronymic of the observer; address of his place of residence; number of the electoral precinct; name of the election commission (district, territorial, precinct election commission) to which the observer is sent. Provision of any additional information about the observer shall not be required and the credentials need not be certified by a seal if the observer is appointed by a candidate or his agent. These credentials shall be valid if produced together with a document certifying the identity of the observer. An advance notification about sending of an observer shall not be required.

8. The document indicated in Clause 7 of this article may be presented to a precinct commission in the period indicated in Clause 3 of this article, to a territorial or another commission, at early voting or in the period from the commencement of voting in electoral precincts, referendum precincts to the completion of the final protocol for the relevant territory. Two or more observers representing the same registered candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, public association, referendum initiative group shall not simultaneously exercise their powers on the premises of the commission, at the polling station. No restrictions other than those imposed by this Federal Law shall be established on the presence of observers on the premises of an election commission or at the polling station; on monitoring of voting and vote counting, preparation of the protocols of vote returns; on the issuance of copies of the protocols of vote returns.

9. Observers shall be entitled to:

a) inspect voters lists, lists of referendum participants;

b) be present at polling stations of the relevant electoral precinct, referendum precinct on voting day at any time during the period specified in Clause 3 of this article;

c) attend the voting procedure at an election, a referendum outside the polling station;

d) watch the number of citizens being entered in the lists of voters, referendum participants, ballots being issued to voters, referendum participants, canceled ballots being counted; watch votes cast by voters, referendum participants being counted at the polling station at elections, a referendum from a distance and under conditions which allow them to see the marks made by voters, referendum participants on the ballots; inspect any marked and unmarked ballot when votes cast by voters, referendum participants are being counted; watch the commission preparing the protocol of vote returns and other documents during the period indicated in Clause 3 of this article;

e) apply to the chairman of the precinct commission, and in the event of the Chairman’s absence, to the person acting in the chairman’s capacity, and make proposals and comments regarding the organization of the voting procedure;

f) inspect the protocols of the relevant commission, lower commissions of vote returns, returns results of the election, the referendum and documents attached thereto, receive from the relevant commission certified copies of such protocols and documents or make copies of such protocols or documents. Upon request of an observer, the commission shall issue such copies or certify copies made by the observer;

g) wear a badge indicating the observer’s status, family surname, given first name, patronymic name, and also the family surname, given first name, patronymic name of the registered candidate or the name of the electoral association, electoral bloc, public organization that have sent the observer to the commission;

h) appeal, in the procedure established by Article 75 of this Federal Law, actions (omissions) of a commission to the higher commission, the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or a court;

i) be present when the appropriate commissions are recounting votes cast by voters, referendum participants.

10. An observer shall not:

a) issue ballots to voters or referendum participants;

b) sign for a voter, referendum participant for receipt of ballots even when asked to do so by the voter, referendum participant;

c) complete mark ballots for a voter, referendum participant even upon his request;

d) do anything violating the secrecy of ballotvoting;

e) directly participate in ballot counting conducted by voting members of the commission;

f) do anything interfering with the work of the commission;

g) conduct campaigning among voters, referendum participants;

h) participate in the adoption of decisions by the relevant commission.

11. Members of the press shall be entitled to examine the protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission and the protocols of vote returns or results of the elections, referendum of other commissions, make or receive from the appropriate commission copies of the said protocols and documents attached thereto. At a request of a representative of the mass mediamember of the press, the commission shall certify a copy of the protocol of vote returns or results of the elections, referendum.

12. Copies of protocols and other documents of commissions shall be certified by the chairman, or the deputy chairman, or the secretary of the relevant commission. In this case, the aforementioned persons shall write "This is a true copy" on the copy being certified, sign the copy, indicate the date and the time of certification, and affix the seal of the relevant commission.

13. Foreign (international) observers shall receive the permit to enter the Russian Federation in the procedures provided for by the federal law and, if invited by the bodies of state power, commissions organizing the election, the referendum, they shall be accredited by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. Foreign (international) observers shall conduct their activities in compliance with the federal laws.

Article 31. Dissolution of Commission

1. A commission may be dissolved by a court of appropriate jurisdiction established by Clause 2, Article 75 of this Federal Law in the event thatif:

a) a violation of the electoral rights of citizens, the right of citizens to participate in a referendum committed by the commission infringement resulted in the fact that the vote returns in the corresponding territory or the results of the elections, referendum were declared null and void by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, another law (among other things, on the basis of a court decision);

b) failure, on the part of the commission, fails to abide by a decision of a court or a higher commission, decisions of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation adopted in accordance with Clause 7, Article 75 of this Federal Law.

2. An application asking for dissolution of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may be submitted to a court by a group numbering not less than one-third of the total number of members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation or deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

3. An application asking for dissolution of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, a district election commission forat elections to elections of federal bodies of state power may be submitted to a court by a group numbering not less than one-third of the total number of members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation or deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation or not less than one-third of the total number of deputies of the legislative (representative) body of the relevant subject of the Russian Federation, or by a group of deputies of any elective chamber of the aforementioned body numbering not less than one-third of the total number of deputies of this chamber, and also by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

4. An application asking for dissolution of a district election commission forat elections to elections of the legislative (representative) body of a subject of the Russian Federation, the representative body of local self-government, the a municipality election commission of a municipality, a territorial, a precinct commission may be submitted to a court by a group of deputies numbering not less than one-third of the total number of deputies of the legislative (representative) body of the given subject of the Russian Federation, or by a group of deputies of any elective chamber of the aforementioned body numbering not less than one-third of the total number of deputies of this such chamber, or by a group of deputies of the appropriate representative body of local self-government numbering not less than one-third of the total number of deputies of this body and also by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation.

5. An application to a court asking for about dissolution of a commission organizing an election, a referendum may be submitted to a court after the end of the election campaign, the referendum campaign but not later than three months after the day on which the election campaign, the referendum campaign ends. An application to a court about dissolution of another commission may be submitted not later than 30 days before voting day or after the end of the election campaign, the referendum campaign but not later than three months after the grounds for dissolution of the commission emerge. In the event of a repeat voting, an application to a court about dissolution of a precinct commission may also be submitted in the period after the vote returns in this precinct have been determined but not later than seven days before the day of the repeat voting.

6. An application asking for for dissolution of a commission shall be accepted for consideration immediately and a decision shall be taken thereon shall be decided upon not later than 14 days after its acceptance, and in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, not later than three days after the day on which the application is submitted. A case of dissolution of a commission shall be examined by a court in a full session.

7. In the event aIf a court makes a decisionrules that the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation be dissolved, this the said commission shall be formed in accordance with Article 21 of this Federal Law.

8. In the event a court makes a decisionIf , in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, a copurt rules that the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation be dissolved, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall form, in compliance with the provisions of Clause 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law, a provisional election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation composed of new members. After the end of the period of the election campaign, the referendum campaign, the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation shall be formed by bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation in compliance with provisions of Clauses 22 and 23 of this Federal Law.

9. In the event a court makes a decisionIf , in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, a court rules that the a municipality election commission be dissolved, the higher commission, and if no such commission is available, the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, shall forms, in compliance with Clause 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law, a provisional commission of the municipality comprised of new members. After the end of the period of the election campaign, the referendum campaign, the municipality commission of the municipality shall be formed by the representative body local self-government in compliance with the provisions of Clauses 22 and 24 of this Federal Law.

10. In the event If a court makes a decision to dissolveordersrules that dissolution of any commissions other than those referred to in Clauses 8 and 9 of this article be dissolved, such commissions composed of new members shall be formed to be comprised of new members by higher commissions in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign in compliance with provisions of Clause 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law, and after the end of the period of the election campaign, the referendum campaign, in compliance with provisions, Articles 22, 25, 26 of this Federal Law

11. An interimA provisional commission shall be formed not later than three days after of the the effective date date whenof the court decision ruling to on dissolution oflve a commission came into legal force. Beyond the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, a new commission shall be formed not later than one month after of the day when the effective date of the court decision to dissolveruling on dissolution of a commission came into legal force (after the end datelast day of the election campaign, the referendum campaign). In this case, the first meetings of such commissions shall be convened by the body that has formed them.

12. Dissolution of a commission shall not entail termination of powers of non-voting members of such commission.

Chapter V. Guarantees of Citizens’ Rights in Nomination and Registration of Candidates, Realization of Initiative to Hold Referendum

Article 32. Right to Nominate Candidates

1. Citizens of the Russian Federation who are entitled to a passive electoral right may be nominated candidates directly or on a list of candidates in accordance with this Federal Law, another law.

2. Direct nomination of candidates may be carried out by way of self-nomination, nomination by an electoral association, an electoral bloc.

3. Nomination of candidates on a list of candidates may be carried out by an electoral association, an electoral bloc.

4. A citizen of the Russian Federation who occupied the office of President of the Russian Federation and is removed from the office of President of the Russian Federation as a result of impeachment, persistent inability to exercise presidential powers for health reasons, or resignation shall not be nominated as a candidate for the election called in connection to such circumstances.

5. A citizen of the Russian Federation who occupied the office of the top executive of a subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation) and resigned from this office on his free will or because of a no-confidence vote of the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation or was removed from this office by the President of the Russian Federation shall not be nominated as a candidate at the election called because of such circumstances.

6. A citizen of the Russian Federation who occupied the office of the head of a municipality and is removed from the office of the head of the municipality on his free will or because of an expression of no confidence to him by the population in accordance with the procedure defined by the charter of the municipality, or was removed from this office by the President of the Russian Federation, the top executive of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation) shall not be nominated as a candidate at the election called because of such circumstances.

7. In a repeat election or a by-election held to fill a vacancy of a deputy in an operating legislative (representative) body of state power, a representative body of local self-government, a person who is a deputy (member) of such body shall not be nominated as a candidate.

8. A citizen of the Russian Federation who is not entitled to a passive electoral right at the relevant election shall not be nominated as a candidate.

9. A candidate shall not be nominated, at one and the same election, in more than one electoral district. This rule shall not apply when a candidate is nominated by one and the same electoral association, electoral bloc at one and the same election in a single-seat (or a multi-seat) electoral district and on a list of candidates.

10. A candidate shall not, at one and the same election, give consent to nomination by more than one nomination initiator.

Article 33. Conditions of Candidate Nomination

1. A written notice of nomination of a candidate, a list of candidates shall be submitted to the relevant election commission. The form of such written notification and the procedure for its submission shall be established by law.

2. A candidate shall be considered nominated and shall acquire the rights and responsibilities of a candidate provided for by this Federal Law, another law after the relevant election commission has received the notice referred to in Clause 1 of this article, and a written statement made by the nominated person about his consent to stand for election in the relevant electoral district. The statement must indicate the biographical data of the candidate: his surname, first name and patronymic; date and place of birth; address of the place of residence; education; main place of work or service; position (occupation, if there is no main place of work or service); if the candidate is a deputy and exercises his powers on a non-permanent basis - this fact and the name of the relevant representative body; kind, series, number and date of issuance of the identity document containing information about the citizenship, address of the place of residence and the name or code of the body which issued this document, and the date of its issue, information about the candidate’s convictions, citizenship, including citizenship of a foreign state, indicating the date and grounds for its acquisition, and with an obligation, if elected, to discontinue the activities incompatible with the status of a deputy or another elective office. A candidate shall be entitled to declare membership in not more than one public association registered in the procedure established by law, and his status in such public association, provided that a document is submitted together with the notice referred to in Clause 1 of this article that confirms the above data and is certified by a permanent leading body of this public association.

3. Together with the notice referred to in Clause 1 of this article, the relevant election commission shall be provided with information about the size and sources of the candidate’s income and about any property owned by the candidate (each candidate on the list of candidates) (including property co-owned by the candidate), about deposits in banks, securities. The information about the size and sources of income shall be submitted in the form of a copy of the tax declaration of the citizen who is a candidate for the year preceding the year in which the election was called (with a note of the tax authority at the place of submission). If, under Russian Federation laws, the citizen who is a candidate does not have to file a tax declaration, he shall submit certified information about his income (including the pension, benefits, other payments) for the year preceding the year in which the election was called from the legal entities and/or natural persons, which/who are tax agents under the federal law, from the organizations making such payments. The information about the property owned by the candidate and other information indicated in this clause shall be submitted in accordance with the form shown in the Annex to this Federal Law, and this Annex may be supplemented by the federal law. If, in the year preceding the year in which the election was called, the candidate did not receive any income and/or does not own any property to be reported in accordance with this clause, this fact must be indicated under this clause in the candidate's statement of consent to stand for election in the relevant electoral district. Federal Law may require that, along with the above information, similar information be provided about the candidate’s spouse.

4. At elections of deputies of representative bodies of local self-government where electoral districts are formed in accordance with the average quota of voters’ representation that does not exceed five thousand voters, candidates do not need to submit to the relevant election commission the information specified in Clause 3 of this article unless otherwise provided by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation.

5. A candidate (except candidates nominated on a list of candidates) shall personally submit the documents specified in Clauses 1 to 3 of this article. The documents specified in Clauses 1 to 3 of this article may be submitted, at the request of the candidate, by other persons. If the candidate is ill, held in custody in places where suspects and defendants are held (in this case the candidate's signature on the statement shall be notarially certified or certified in writing by the administration of the hospital in which the candidate is being treated or the administration of the place of detention where he is held in custody as a suspect or defendant), in other cases specified by a federal law.

6. The election commission shall apply to relevant bodies with a request to verify the information provided under Clauses 2 and 3 of this article. Relevant bodies shall, at the request of the election commission, verity such information and report the results of the verification to the election commission within ten days.

7. The election commission shall communicate to voters the information about candidates that they provided at the time of their nomination within the scope established by the election commission organizing the election.

8. The election commission shall communicate to the mass media information about discovered inaccuracy of the data submitted by candidates.

9. The period that is established by law for nomination of candidates, lists of candidates, and collection of voter signatures in support of nominated candidates, lists of candidates or otherwise support of nomination shall be at least 40 days (in the event of an early election, at least 30 days) at elections of federal bodies of state power, at least 30 days at elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, and at least 20 days at elections of bodies of local self-government.

Article 34. Nomination of Candidates by Way of Self-Nomination of Candidates

1. Self-nomination of candidates shall be carried out by way of notification thereof of the election commissions where the candidates are to be registered, followed by the collection of signatures in support of such self-nominated candidates or payment of an electoral deposit.

2. The federal law may require that a group of a certain number of voters be assembled to support a self-nominating candidate.

Article 35. Nomination of Candidates, Lists of Candidates by Electoral Associations, Electoral Blocs

1. Electoral associations, electoral blocs shall be entitled to nominate candidates, lists of candidates. In a single-seat electoral district, an electoral association, an electoral bloc may nominate one candidate. In a multi-seat electoral district, an electoral association, an electoral bloc may nominate a candidate for each deputy seat in this electoral district.

2. Nomination of candidates, lists of candidates by political parties shall be regulated by the Federal Law "On Political Parties." Nomination of candidates, lists of candidates by other public associations shall be carried out at congresses (conferences, meetings) of such public associations, their regional or local branches, by secret ballot, and in compliance with other requirements of the federal law regarding nomination of candidates by political parties.

3. Electoral blocs shall be formed after the official publication of a decision to call (hold) the election.

4. Apart from electoral associations, electoral blocs may include, in accordance with the procedure established by law, all-Russia public associations established as non-governmental organizations or public movements, the charters of which provide for participation in elections and referendums. Such all-Russia public associations established as non-governmental organizations or public movements, and any amendments or supplements to the charters thereof that provide for participation in elections and referendums shall be registered, in accordance with the federal law, not later than one year before voting day, and if an election of a body of state power, a body of local self-government is called because of an early termination of powers of a body of state power, a body of local self-government, not later than six months before voting day. The above time limits shall not apply to other amendments or supplements introduced to the charter of a national public association.

5. Electoral blocs shall not incorporate the following all-Russia public associations established as non-governmental organizations or public movements:

a) an association registered under the legislation of the Russian Federation as a trade union, a religious organization, a charitable organization, an ethnic/cultural autonomy;

b) an association the charter of which requires that its members or associated persons be selected solely by an occupational, ethnic, racial and/or confessional criterion (criteria);

c) an association the non-political nature of which is specifically provided for by the federal law;

d) an association the charter of which allows membership therein or otherwise association thereto of foreign citizens, foreign or international organizations;

e) an association the charter of which allows membership therein or association thereto of persons who have no right to be members of political parties;

f) an association established to advance professional, scientific, amateur interests, or established to advance interests of groups of people in accordance with a special federal law adopted under Federal Law No. 82-FZ of May 19, 1995 "On Public Associations.".

6. Electoral blocs shall be subject to registration with the election commission organizing the election either immediately after they are established or simultaneously with submission of the joint list of candidates to the election commission. Electoral associations incorporated into an electoral bloc shall not, at the same election, be included into other electoral blocs or act as independent electoral associations.

7. An electoral bloc shall have the rights of an electoral association.

8. An electoral bloc, at the time of its creation, shall authorize a body of this electoral bloc or a member electoral association to act on its behalf in the period of the election campaign, and during the term of the legislative (representative) body of state power, the body of local self-government if the list of candidates nominated by this electoral bloc is included in the distribution of deputy seats in the above bodies.

9. At the request of the election commission organizing the election, the registering authorities shall, not later than ten days after the day of receipt of the request, provide to the said commission a list of electoral associations, and a list of all-Russia public associations that meet the requirements of Clauses 4 and 5 of this article as of the day of receipt of the request.

10. The name of an electoral association shall be the name indicated in the charter of the corresponding political party or another public association.

11. The name of an electoral bloc, including its short name, that consists of not more than seven words, shall be determined at a congress (conference) of representatives of the electoral associations that formed the given bloc. The name of an electoral bloc shall not use the name of a public association which has been registered at the given or a higher level and has not joined the given electoral bloc, or the name of another electoral bloc which has already been registered for this election. The first name and surname of a natural person, the name of a state or municipal office shall not be used in the name of an electoral bloc.

12. In cases and in accordance with a procedure provided for by law, an electoral association, electoral bloc may submit its emblem to the relevant election commission. An electoral association may submit only its own emblem a description of which is contained in its charter. An electoral bloc may submit an emblem of any of the electoral associations comprised in the given electoral bloc or any other emblem with the exception of emblems descriptions of which are contained in the charters of other public associations which nominated candidates, lists of candidates at the given or previous elections of the given or a higher level, and emblems of electoral blocs that nominated candidates, lists of candidates at the given election. Symbols of an electoral association, electoral bloc shall not infringe upon rights of intellectual property, insult or denigrate the National Flag of the Russian Federation, the National Emblem of the Russian Federation, the National Anthem of the Russian Federation, flags, emblems, anthems of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipalities, foreign states, religious symbols and national sentiments, violate the generally recognized moral norms.

13. The names and symbols of electoral associations, electoral blocs shall not be changed after their submission to the relevant election commission.

14. The list of candidates nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc shall be submitted to the election commission organizing the election together with the documents specified in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 33 of this Federal Law. Within three days, the election commission shall certify the list of candidates nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc.

15. After the list of candidates has been submitted to the election commission, the candidates on the list and the order in which they are arranged thereon shall not be changed otherwise than due to withdrawal (removal) of the candidates. In cases provided by law, this rule shall not apply to elections in single-seat (multi-seat) electoral districts.

16. At least a half of the deputy seats in the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation or in either of its chambers shall be distributed between the lists of candidates nominated by electoral associations, electoral blocs in proportion to the number of votes received by each list of candidates. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation may establish a minimum percentage of votes to be received by a list of candidates in order to be included in such distribution of deputy seats. Such minimum percentage of votes shall be established so that at least two lists of candidates that have jointly received more than 50 percent of votes cast by the voters who participated in the voting be included in the distribution of the deputy seats.

Article 36. Procedure for Realization of Initiative to Hold Referendum of Subject of the Russian Federation, Local Referendum

1. Each citizen of the Russian Federation or group of citizens entitled to participate in a relevant referendum shall be entitled to form a referendum initiative group, the number of members in the group being not less than 20 persons entitled to participate in a referendum, for putting forward an initiative to hold a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, and not less than 10 for putting forward an initiative to hold a local referendum. If a public association referred to in Clause 3, Article 14 of this Federal Law initiates a referendum, its leading body shall constitute a referendum initiative group regardless of the number of its members.

2. A referendum initiative group shall submit an application for registration of the group to the election commission of the relevant level that shall, as of the day of such submission, act as a referendum commission.

3. The application of a referendum initiative group shall contain the question (questions) proposed by the referendum initiative group, and indicate the surname, first name and patronymic, date and place of birth, series, number and the date of issue of the passport or an equivalent identity document of a citizen, name or code of the issuing body, and the residential address of each member of the initiative group and each person authorized to act on its behalf on the territory in which the referendum is to be held. The application of the initiative group shall be signed by all members of the said group.

4. Attached to the application shall be the minutes of the meeting of the referendum initiative group at which a decision was taken to put forward an initiative to hold a referendum.

5. Within 15 days after receipt of the application of the referendum initiative group, the commission referred to in Clause 2 of this article shall consider this application and the attached documents and decide as follows:

if the application and the documents meet the requirements of this Federal Law, the constitution (charter), the law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality, to forward thereof to the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation or to the representative body of local self-government authorized by the constitution (charter), the law of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality to make a decision to call a referendum;

otherwise, to refuse to register the initiative group.

6. The legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation or the representative body of local self-government referred to in Clause 5 of this article, shall make sure that the question proposed for a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum meets the requirements of Article 12 of this Federal Law in accordance with a procedure and within the period established by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality. This period shall not exceed 20 days from the day on which the application for a referendum and the attached documents were submitted to the relevant body by the referendum initiative group.

7. Within 5 days after an application of an initiative group to hold a referendum in a subject of the Russian Federation and attached documents are received, the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation referred to in Clause 5 of this article shall notify the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation of this initiative.

8. If the legislative (representative) body of state power or the representative body of local self-government indicated in Clause 5 of this article establishes that the question to be put to a referendum meets the requirements of Article 12 of this Federal Law, the commission indicated in Clause 2 of this article shall register the referendum initiative group, issue a registration certificate to the group and inform the mass media about this. A decision to register a referendum initiative group shall be taken within 15 days of the date when the legislative (representative) body of state power or the representative body of local self-government indicated in Clause 5 of this article establishes that the question to be put to a referendum meets the requirements of Article 12 of this Federal Law.

9. A registration certificate the form of which shall be approved by the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation and which is issued to the referendum initiative group, shall be valid for the period established by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality.

10. If a dispute arises over the competence in connection with the initiative to hold a referendum in a subject of the Russian Federation, the President of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation shall be entitled to suggest that the body which established that the question to be put to a referendum meets the requirements of Article 12 of this Federal Law form a conciliatory commission. Representatives of the referendum initiative group in a subject of the Russian Federation shall be entitled to participate in the work of the conciliatory commission. The period indicated in Clause 8 of this article shall be extended for as long as the conciliatory commission is working.

11. If the body indicated in Clause 5 of this article establishes that the question to be put to a referendum does not meet the requirements of Article 12 of this Federal Law, the commission indicated in Clause 2 of this article shall refuse to register the referendum initiative group.

12. If the registration of a referendum initiative group is refused, a decision of the relevant body indicating the reasons for the refusal shall be issued to it.

13. The reason for the refusal to register a referendum initiative group may only be a violation by the initiative group of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, the constitution (charter), the laws of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality. The refusal of registration may be appealed in a court.

Article 37. Collection of Signatures in Support of Nomination of Candidates, Lists of Candidates, Referendum Initiative

1. In accordance with the procedure established by law, signatures of voters, referendum participants may be collected in support of nomination of candidates, lists of candidates, a referendum initiative. The number of signatures required for registration of candidates, lists of candidates shall be established by law and shall not exceed two percent of the number of voters registered on the territory of the electoral district in accordance with Clause 4, Article 16 of this Federal Law. The number of signatures required to be collected in support of an initiative to hold a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be established by law and shall not exceed two percent of the number of referendum participants registered on the territory of the referendum in accordance with Clause 4, Article 16 of this Federal Law, and in support of an initiative to hold a local referendum, five percent of the number of referendum participants registered on the territory of the referendum in accordance with Clause 4, Article 16 of this Federal Law.

2. The number of signatures required by law for registration of candidates in a multi-seat electoral district shall not exceed two percent of the number of voters registered on the territory of the relevant electoral district divided by the number of deputy seats.

3. The quotas for collection of voter signatures on the territory of one subject of the Russian Federation at elections of federal bodies of state power may be established by the federal laws.

4. No quotas shall be established for the collection of signatures of voters, referendum participants at an election of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum for a part of the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, a part of the territory of the municipality.

5. Signatures may be collected starting on the day following the day when the commission received a notice about nomination of a candidate, a list of candidates was certified, a referendum initiative group was registered. The signature sheets shall be printed for the account of the relevant electoral funds, referendum funds. The period established by the law of a subject of the Russian Federation for collection of signatures of referendum participants in support of an initiative to hold a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation shall be at least 30 days, in support of an initiative to hold a local referendum, at least 20 days.

6. Signatures may be collected only among voters who are entitled to an active electoral right in the electoral district in which a candidate gives consent to nomination, or among referendum participants who are entitled to participate in a relevant referendum. Bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, governing bodies of organizations of any form of ownership, institutions, voting members of election commission shall not participate in signature collection. In the course of signature collection it shall be prohibited to compel voters to put their signatures or to remunerate them in any form for doing so and collect signatures at work places, when and where wages, pensions, allowances, stipends, other social benefits are paid.

7. A legally capable citizen of the Russian Federation who has attained to the age of 18 years by the time of signature collection shall be entitled to collect signatures of voters, referendum participants. A candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, an authorized representative of the referendum initiative group may enter a contract for signature collection with a person collecting signatures of voters, referendum participants. Remuneration for such work shall be paid only through the electoral funds of the candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, through the referendum funds established by the referendum initiative group.

8. The form of a signature sheet shall be determined by law. A voter, referendum participant shall put on the signature sheet his signature and the date of signing, and indicate his surname, first name and patronymic, year of birth (at the age of 18, also the day and month of birth), series and number of the passport or equivalent identity paper, and the address of the place of residence as stated in the passport or equivalent identity document. The data on voters, referendum participants who put their signatures and write the dates of signing on the signature sheet may be entered in the signature sheet, at the request of a voter, referendum participant, by the person collecting signatures in support of the candidate, list of candidates. All such data shall be written by hand. A voter, referendum participant shall put his signature and write the date of signing with his own hand.

9. If a candidate has a conviction, this information must be indicated on the signature sheet. The signature sheet shall also contain information about possession by the candidate of a foreign citizenship specifying the name of the relevant state.

Article 38. Registration of Candidates, Lists of Candidates, Procedure for Calling of Referendum

1. A candidate, a list of candidates shall be registered by the relevant election commission, provided that a statement (statements) by the candidate (candidates) on his (their) consent to stand for election in the respective electoral district compiled in accordance with Clause 2, Article 33 of this Federal Law, and information submitted in accordance with Clause 3, Article 33 of this Federal Law, and the required number of voter signatures collected in support of the nomination of the candidate, list of candidates, or a paid electoral deposit, or a decision of a political party, an electoral bloc referred to in Clause 16 of this article are available. The availability of the required number of signatures of referendum participant collected in support of a referendum initiative shall constitute grounds for calling a referendum by the body authorized to do so in accordance with the procedure established by law.

2. The number of signatures of voters, referendum participants collected in support of a candidate, a list of candidates, a referendum initiative and submitted for the purposes of registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, for calling a referendum may exceed the number of signatures required for such registration, but not more than by 25 percent. Any other maximum number of signatures of voters, referendum participants to be provided to obtain registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, or to ensure calling of a referendum shall not be established by law.

3. Law shall provide for a procedure to check compliance with the rules for signature collection, inspection of signature sheets, to verify the authenticity of data about voters, referendum participants and signatures of voters, referendum participants collected in support of a candidate, a list of candidate, a referendum initiative. All or some of the signatures submitted may be subjected to verification, but not less than randomly selected (drawn) 20 percent of the number of signatures required by law for registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, for calling a referendum.

4. Signatures on signature sheets that have been annulled (struck out) by the persons initiating the nomination of a candidate, a list of candidates, the calling of a referendum shall not be counted or verified, provided they specifically indicated this fact on the signature sheet or in the protocol of results of signature collection before the signatures are submitted to the relevant commission.

5. Signatures shall be declared invalid if collected with participation of bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, governing bodies of organizations of any form of ownership, institutions, voting members of election commissions, or with coercion applied to voters, referendum participants in the course of signature collection, or with remuneration of voters, referendum participants for putting their signatures, or at work places, or when and where wages, salaries, pensions, welfare benefits, other social benefits are paid.

6. No abbreviations contained in the data about a voter, a referendum participant shall constitute grounds for declaring his signature invalid, provided such abbreviations do not prevent unambiguous interpretation of such data. Verification of authenticity of the signature of a voter, a referendum participant by questioning shall be forbidden.

7. All candidates, authorized representatives of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that have nominated candidates, lists of candidates, authorized representatives of referendum initiative groups that submitted the required number of signatures shall be entitled to attend any verification of the signatures submitted by a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, a referendum initiative group, including sampling of signatures for such verification. A candidate, an authorized representative of an electoral association, an electoral bloc that have nominated a list of candidates, an authorized representative of the referendum initiative group that submitted the number of signatures required for registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, for calling a referendum shall be notified about the relevant verification.

8. If at least 25 percent of signatures subjected to verification are found to be unauthentic or invalid, or the number of authentic signatures is smaller than the number required for registration of the relevant candidate, list of candidates, for calling a referendum, the commission shall refuse to register the candidate, the list of candidates, or refuse to call a referendum.

9. The results of the verification referred to in Clause 3 of this article shall be communicated to the candidate, an authorized representative of the electoral association, electoral bloc, the referendum initiative group not later than two days before the meeting at which the question whether or not to register the candidate, list of candidates, call a referendum is to be considered. If, as a result of the relevant verification, it has been found that the number of the submitted signatures is insufficient for registration, or that the maximum proportion of unauthentic or invalid signatures has been exceeded in the portion of signatures subjected to the verification, the candidate, an authorized representative of the electoral association, the electoral bloc, the referendum initiative group shall be provided, within the established time, with: copies of the protocol of the results of the verification of signature sheets, copies of records of signature sheet verification indicating the grounds (reasons) for declaring signatures of voters, referendum participants unauthentic or invalid, copies of official documents on the basis of which signatures were declared unauthentic or invalid.

10. At elections of federal bodies of state power, with the exception of elections of the President of the Russian Federation, to bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc may decide not to collect voter signatures in support of the nomination of such candidate, a list of candidates, in such case, registration of the candidate, the list of candidates shall be carried out by the relevant election commission on the basis of an electoral deposit paid to the election commission by this candidate, the electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated a list of candidates.

11. The fact of collection and submission by a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc of voter signatures in support of nomination of the candidate, a list of candidates shall not constitute grounds for refusal of registration on the basis of payment of an electoral deposit; similarly, payment of an electoral deposit shall not constitute grounds for refusal of registration on the basis of collected voter signatures.

12. An electoral deposit shall be paid from electoral funds. If a candidate, a list of candidates is registered on the basis of submitted voter signatures, the electoral deposit shall be returned to the electoral fund.

13. If a registered candidate failed to be elected and received less votes cast by voters who participated in the election than the number established by law, if an electoral association, an electoral bloc did not participate in the distribution of deputy seats and/or received less votes cast by voters who participated in the election than the number established by law, the electoral deposit paid by such candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc shall be remitted to the relevant budget. The said number of votes shall not be more than 5 percent of the number of voters who participated in the voting in the relevant electoral district for candidates, and more than 3 percent for lists of candidates nominated by electoral associations, electoral blocs. The electoral deposit shall be also remitted to the relevant budget if the candidate, the list of candidates are denied registration, if the candidate withdraws his candidature, or the electoral association, electoral bloc recalls its registered candidate, list of candidates without compelling circumstances, provided that such recall results in circumstances specified in Clause 30 of this article or calling of a repeat election, and if registration of a candidate, a list of candidates is annulled on the grounds specified in Clause 5, Article 76 of this Federal Law. In all other cases, including the case of declaring the election results null and void, the electoral deposit shall be returned to the relevant electoral fund.

14. The size of the electoral deposit shall be 15 percent of the maximum amount of expenditures from the electoral fund of, respectively, a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, that is established by law.

15. The procedure for establishment and maintenance of a special account for receipt and keeping of the electoral deposit by the relevant election commission shall be determined by law.

16. Registration of candidates, lists of candidates nominated by political parties, electoral blocs shall be carried out without collection of voter signatures or payment of an electoral deposit, provided that, as a result of the previous election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the federal lists of candidates nominated by these political parties, electoral blocs were included in the distribution of deputy seats. In such case, a candidate shall be registered on the basis of a decision on his nomination adopted by the political party, electoral bloc in accordance with the procedure established by the federal law.

17. At elections of representative bodies of local self-government of municipalities with the average voters’ representation quota of less than ten thousand, the collection of voter signatures in support of candidates need not be carried out if a different procedure for nomination of candidates is provided for by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation.

18. Within an established period that shall not exceed ten days, the relevant election commission shall check the compliance of the procedure of nomination of a candidate, a list of candidates with the requirements of the law and shall decide to register or not to register the candidate, list of candidates.

19. At one and the same election, a candidate may only be registered in one electoral district. This rule shall not apply to registration of a candidate when the candidate is nominated at the same election, by one electoral association, electoral bloc simultaneously in a single-seat (or multi-seat) electoral district and on a list of candidates.

20. In registration of a candidate nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc, the relevant decision of the election commission shall indicate the fact of his nomination by this electoral association, electoral bloc. If a candidate is registered both in a single-seat (or multi-seat) electoral district and on a list of candidates, the decision of the election commission shall indicate the fact that the candidate is also registered on the list of candidates.

21. If the procedure of putting forward the initiative to hold a referendum complies with the requirements of the law, the charter of a municipality, the commission specified in Clause 2, Article 36 of this Federal Law shall, within 15 days of the date when the referendum initiative group submits signature sheets and a protocol of signature collection, forward these signature sheets, a copy of the signature collection protocol and a copy of its decision to the legislative (representative) body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation or to the representative body of local self-government that are authorized by the constitution (charter), the law of the subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of the municipality to take a decision to call a referendum. A copy of the commission’s decision shall also be sent to the referendum initiative group.

22. If a dispute about the competence in connection with the calling of a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation arises, such dispute shall be resolved by the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. In such case, preparation of the referendum shall be suspended pending the decision of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation.

23. In the event of a refusal to register a candidate, a list of candidates, refusal to call a referendum, the relevant commission shall, within one day of the date of the decision on refusal of registration, issue to an authorized representative of the electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated the candidate, an authorized representative of the referendum initiative group a copy of the commission’s decision stating the grounds for the refusal. The following may constitute grounds for refusal of registration:

a) the candidate is not entitled to a passive electoral right;

b) for candidates, lists of candidates nominated by a political party, and electoral bloc, the requirements to nomination of a candidate, a list of candidates specified in the Federal Law "On Political Parties," are not complied with, for candidates nominated by other public associations, the requirements of Clause 2, Article 35 of this Federal Law are not complied with;

c) for registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, for calling a referendum, any document is not available in the set of documents submitted for registration, provided for by this Federal Law, another law;

d) a serious or repeated violation of the prohibition to collect signatures at places where the law prohibits collection of signatures, if the signatures submitted for registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, in support of a referendum initiative were collected in violation of this prohibition. A serious violation of the said prohibition is committed if at least 20 percent of the signatures provided for registration of a candidate, a list of candidates, in support of a referendum initiative are collected at places where signature collection is prohibited;

e) insufficient number of submitted authentic and valid signatures of voters, referendum participants collected in support of a candidate, a list of candidates, a referendum initiative, or an excessive proportion, as established by this Federal Law, of unauthentic or invalid signatures among the signatures subjected to verification (if the electoral deposit was not paid or the decision of an electoral association, electoral bloc was not provided for registration of the candidate, the list of candidates under Clause 16 of this article);

f) inaccuracy of information submitted by the candidate in accordance with Clause 2, Article 33 of this Federal Law. Inaccuracy of information about individual candidates included in a list of candidates may serve as a reason for removal of only the relevant candidates from the list of candidates;

g) a failure of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, to establish a relevant electoral fund, a referendum fund (with the exception of cases when under Article 58 of this Federal Law no electoral fund, referendum fund is required);

h) the use by a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc in funding their election campaigns, by a referendum initiative group in funding their activities related to furthering its initiative to hold a referendum, in arranging signature collection in support of this initiative, and in activities aimed at obtaining a certain result at the referendum, of the funds other than their electoral fund, referendum fund that amount to more than 5 percent of the maximum limit of expenditures of the electoral fund, referendum fund established by law;

i) exceeding by a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc in funding their election campaigns, by the referendum initiative group in funding its activities related to furthering its initiative to hold a referendum, in arranging signature collection in support of this initiative, and in activities aimed at obtaining a certain result at the referendum, of the maximum limit of expenditure of the electoral fund, referendum fund established by law by more than five percent;

j) the number of candidates removed from the list of candidates on the basis of their applications, by a decision of the electoral association, electoral bloc (with the exception of candidates who were removed due to compelling circumstances) and by a decision of an election commission for the reasons set forth in this Clause exceeds 25 percent of the total number of candidates on a certified list of candidates;

k) a candidate, an authorized representative of the electoral association, electoral bloc has violated provisions of Clause 1, Article 56 of this Federal Law during the campaigning period, and this fact is established by a court decision;

l) a candidate, his agent, a member or an authorized representative of the referendum initiative group has taken advantage of his office or official position ;

m) a candidate has been registered in some other electoral district at this election, save the case where a candidate was nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc simultaneously in a single-seat (multi-seat) electoral district and on a list of candidates.

24. The list of reasons for refusal to register a candidate, a list of candidates, for removal of a candidate from a list of candidates by a decision of the commission, refusal to call a referendum established by Clause 23 of this article shall be exhaustive.

25. If the commission makes a decision to refuse to call a referendum on the question proposed for putting to the referendum, members of the respective initiative group shall not, for two years after the day of adoption of this decision, repeat the initiative of holding a referendum on a similar question.

26. If the registration of a candidate, a list of candidates is refused, re-nomination of the candidate, list of candidates shall be possible in compliance with the procedure and within the time limits established by law.

27. A candidate shall be entitled to submit to the commission that registered him a written application to remove his candidature, not later than three days before voting day (including the day of a repeat voting). In such case, the election commission that registered the candidate shall take a decision to cancel his registration.

28. The body of an electoral association, electoral bloc that took the decision to nominate a candidate in a single electoral district, a list of candidates shall be entitled to take a decision to recall this candidate, list of candidates. Such decision shall be submitted to the election commission that registered this candidate, list of candidates not later than five days before voting day (including the day of a repeat voting). In such case, the election commission that registered the candidate, list of candidates shall take a decision to cancel the registration of the candidate, list of candidates.

29. An electoral association, in accordance with its charter, an electoral bloc, by a decision of representatives authorized to do so by the member electoral associations, shall be entitled to recall a candidate nominated by them in a single-seat or multi-seat electoral district, remove some candidates from the list of candidates certified by a relevant election commission on the grounds established by the charter of the electoral association, the agreement on establishing the electoral bloc. A recall or removal may be effected not later than five days before voting day. The total number of candidates removed from the list shall not exceed 25 percent of the total number of candidates on a certified list of candidates. Persons who previously were not on the list of candidates shall not be included in such list, or changes in the order in which names are arranged on the list, with the exception of cases when such changes result from the change in the arrangement caused by the withdrawal, including removal, of some candidates, shall not be allowed.

30. If, by voting day, the number of registered candidates in an electoral district is smaller than the established number of deputy seats or is equal to this number, or if only one list of candidates is registered or no lists of candidates are registered, the voting in such district shall be postponed by not more than six months to allow additional nomination of candidates, lists of candidates and performance of the further electoral actions, with the exception of cases specified in Clause 32 of this article.

31. If the circumstances referred to in Clause 30 of this article result from the fact that a registered candidate withdrew his candidature without any compelling circumstances, or a political party, an electoral bloc recalled a registered candidate in the absence of any compelling circumstances, all expenses incurred by a relevant election commission in the preparation and conduct of the election shall be collected from this registered candidate, this political party, electoral bloc.

32. If the circumstances referred to in Clause 30 of this article arise, voting in a single-seat electoral district or a single electoral district on a single candidature shall be conducted:

a) at a repeat voting;

b) at an election of deputies of bodies of local self-government (if established by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation).

In either case, a candidate shall be considered elected if he received at least 50 percent of the vote.

33. Circumstances compelling a registered candidate to withdraw his candidature or an electoral association, electoral bloc to recall a candidate mean the pronouncement of a candidate to be incapable or partially incapable by a court, a serious illness or persistent health problems of a candidate or his next of kin.

Chapter VI. Status of Candidates, Referendum Initiative Groups

Article 39. Equality of Candidates

1. All candidates shall have equal rights and bear equal obligations, save as otherwise provided by this Federal Law.

2. Only authorized representatives for financial matters and agents of candidates may act on behalf of such candidates or, if a candidate is nominated on a list of candidates – also authorized representatives and agents of the electoral association, electoral bloc which nominated this list.

Article 40. Restrictions Connected with Office or Official Position

1. Candidates who occupy state or municipal offices or are in state or municipal service as well as candidates who are officials in mass media organizations or are employees of such organizations shall not take advantage of their office or official position when conducting their election campaigns.

2. Registered candidates occupying state offices of category A in the bodies of executive power, or offices in the bodies of judicial power, or elective municipal offices (with the exception of deputies of representative bodies of local self-government) as well as registered candidates who are in state and municipal service or work in mass media organizations (with the exception of the editorial offices of print media founded by candidates, political parties) shall, for the period of their participation in the election, be relieved from their official duties and shall submit certified copies of relevant orders to the election commission which registered them, within three days of the day of registration, with the exception of the case referred to in Clause 3 of this article. It may be established by the law of a subject of the Russian Federation that at elections of representative bodies of local self-government, if there is a certain number of voters in an electoral district (which shall not exceed five thousand voters), registered candidates who are in state service shall not be relieved from their official duties.

3. The President of the Russian Federation (the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation who in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation is the acting President of the Russian Federation and is a registered presidential candidate) shall continue to exercise his powers. However, he shall be prohibited from taking advantage of his official position.

4. In the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, persons who are not candidates and occupy state or municipal offices or are in state or municipal service shall not take advantage of their offices or official position to promote nomination and/or election of a candidate, list of candidates, advancement or furthering of a referendum initiative, to obtain a certain answer to the referendum question.

5. Under this Federal Law, taking advantage of an office or official position means:

a) involvement of persons who are subordinate to or otherwise dependent on a candidate in the line of duty, other state and municipal employees in activities carried out during the working hours to promote nomination and/or election of a candidate, advancement or furthering of a referendum initiative, to obtain a certain answer to the referendum question;

b) use of premises occupied by state bodies or bodies of local self-government for activities promoting nomination and/or election of candidates, advancement or furthering of a referendum initiative, obtaining a certain answer to the referendum question, if the use of the same premises is not guaranteed to other candidates on the same terms and conditions;

c) use of telephone, fax and other means of telecommunication, information services, office equipment of state bodies or bodies of local self-government, state and municipal institutions or bodies of local self-government for election campaigning, campaigning on the referendum questions;

d) use of state- or municipality-owned transport facilities at no charge or reduced charges for activities promoting nomination and/or election of candidates, advancement or furthering of a referendum initiative, obtaining a certain answer to the referendum question. This provision shall not apply to persons using the said transport facilities in accordance with the Russian Federation laws on the security services provided by the state;

e) collection of signatures or election campaigning, campaigning on the referendum questions carried out by persons who occupy state and municipal offices or are in state or municipal service during business trips paid for from the state or municipal funds;

f) preferential access (compared to other candidates, referendum participant groups) to the state and municipal mass media for collection of signatures, election campaigning, or campaigning on the referendum questions;

g) propaganda speeches at mass events organized in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign by a state and/or municipal body, organization, with the exception of a speech at the events indicated in Clause 6, Article 53 of this Federal Law; or, in the period of an election campaign, publication in mass media, in printed propaganda materials of work progress reports, distribution, on behalf of a citizen who is a candidate, of congratulations or other materials, if such publication or distribution has not been paid for out of the relevant electoral fund;

6. Compliance with the restrictions listed in Clause 5 of this article must not prevent deputies, the President of the Russian Federation from exercising their powers and performing their obligations to voters.

7. Officials, journalists and other persons holding creative jobs in mass media organizations (with the exception of the editorial offices of print media founded by candidates, political parties) shall not participate in highlighting an election campaign in the mass media if these persons are candidates, or authorized representatives of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs.

Article 41. Guarantees for Activity of Registered Candidates

1. At a written request or report of a registered candidate, the administration of the organization, the commanding officer of the military unit, the head of the body of internal affairs where the candidate works, serves, undergoes military training, studies shall relieve the candidate from work, service, training sessions on any day and for any time in the period from the day of the candidate's registration to the day of the official publication of the election results.

2. During the election period, a registered candidate shall not, at the initiative of the administration (employer), be dismissed from his job, service, expelled from an educational establishment, transferred to another job without his consent, sent on business trips, called up for military service or military training or ordered to do an alternative civilian service.

3. The time of participation of a registered candidate in the election shall be included in his overall service time in accordance with his specialty before the registration as a candidate.

4. A registered candidate shall not be subjected to criminal prosecution, arrested and no administrative punishments shall be imposed on such candidate by a court without the consent of the prosecutor (according to the level of the election). Having given such consent, the prosecutor shall serve a notice to this effect on the election commission that registered the candidate.

5. A candidate shall forfeit the rights and be relieved of the responsibilities associated with the status of a candidate, with the exception of responsibilities referred to in Clause 9, Article 59 of this Federal Law, from the time of the official publication of the general data on the election results, or, in the event of an early withdrawal from the elections, on the date of such withdrawal. If the relevant election commission sets, in accordance with the law, a repeat voting, the candidates who are not included in the repeat voting shall forfeit their status on the day for which the election commission sets the repeat voting.

6. In the cease referred to in Clause 3, Article 71 of this Federal Law, the candidate who takes the place of a removed candidate, shall acquire the rights and responsibilities associated with the status of a candidate.

Article 42. Status of Members of Referendum Initiative Group and Other Groups of Referendum Participants

1. Members and authorized representatives of a referendum initiative group shall not take advantage of their office or official position in order to advance and further the referendum initiative, obtain a certain answer to the referendum question.

2. It may be provided for by law that after a referendum initiative group is registered, other groups of referendum participants may be established and registered by referendum commissions, and that the leading bodies of public associations, leading bodies of regional branches or other structural divisions of public associations the charters of which allow participation in elections and/or referendums and which have been registered in accordance with the procedure established by the federal law at a level corresponding to the level of the referendum or a higher level not later than six months before the day when the referendum initiative was put forward may operate in the capacity of such groups. It shall be provided by law that the leading bodies of political parties, regional branches and other structural divisions of political parties may act in the capacity of such groups, in accordance with the level of a referendum. Provisions of this Federal Law governing the activities of a referendum initiative group after its registration, its members and authorized representatives shall also apply to other groups of referendum participants, their members and authorized representatives unless otherwise provided by this Federal Law.

Article 43. Status of Agents

1. A candidate, as well as an electoral association, electoral bloc that have nominated candidates, a list of candidates shall be entitled to appoint their agents. Registration of agents shall be carried out forthwith by the election commission on the basis of a written application of a candidate (an electoral association, electoral bloc) and an application of the proposed agent stating his consent to be such agent.

2. Persons occupying state offices of category A or elective municipal offices shall not be agents of candidates, political parties, electoral blocs. State or municipal officials may be appointed agents provided that they are relieved from their official duties for the period of the exercise of the powers of agents. Registration of an agent who is a state or municipal official shall be effected provided that an order relieving such official from his official duties (including the period of his leave, vacation) is submitted to the relevant election commission.

3. Agents shall receive their ID cards by the election commission and shall be involved in the election campaign of a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, including propaganda activities. For the period of a person’s activity as an agent, the administration (employer) shall grant such person, at his request, an unpaid leave. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that appointed agents shall be entitled to recall such appointments at any time by serving a notice to this effect on the election commission that shall annul the ID cards issued to such agents. The number of agents of a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc shall be established by law.

4. The powers of agents shall be terminated by the decision of the candidate, the electoral association, electoral bloc or at the time when the candidates included on a list of candidates nominated by the electoral association, electoral bloc that appointed these agents forfeit their status as candidates.

Chapter VII. Guarantees of the Rights of Citizens to Receive and Disseminate Information about Elections and Referendums

Article 44. Informational Support of Elections and Referendums

Informational support of elections and referendums shall include information of voters, referendum participants and election campaigning, referendum campaigning and shall be conducive to conscious expression of citizens’ will and to openness of elections, referendums.

Article 45. Information of Voters and Referendum Participants

1. Voters and referendum participants shall be informed by bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, election commissions, mass media organizations, legal entities and natural persons in accordance with this Federal Law. Bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government shall not be entitled to inform voters about candidates, about electoral associations, electoral blocs.

2. Informational materials carried by the mass media or otherwise disseminated shall be objective and accurate and shall not violate the equality of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs.

3. Information of voters, referendum participants, in particular through the mass media, about the preparation and conduct of elections, referendums, the periods and procedures for the performance of electoral actions, actions relating to participation in a referendum, about electoral and referendum laws of the Russian Federation, about candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs shall be carried out by commissions.

4. Mass media organizations shall be free in their activity aimed at informing voters, referendum participants.

5. In television and radio programs and in the publications carried by the print media, reports concerning election events, events related to a referendum shall be always presented in the form of separate news items, without any comments. Such news items shall not give preference to any candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, another group of referendum participants, in particular with regard to the time devoted to cover their election activities, the amount of space allocated in the print media for such reports.

6. Journalists, other creative workers and officials of a mass media organization who have been engaged in an activity related to informational support of an election, a referendum in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation governing elections and referendums shall not be dismissed from their offices at the initiative of the administration (employer) and shall not be transferred to other offices without their consent in the period of the relevant election campaign, referendum campaign, and during one year thereafter, save the case where a disciplinary action was taken against them in accordance with the labor legislation of the Russian Federation and this action has not been appealed in a court or has been declared lawful and appropriate by a court.

7. On voting day, before the end of the voting in an electoral district, referendum district, no information shall be published (made public) about the results of the election, referendum and no such information shall be placed in public information-telecommunications networks (including the Internet).

Article 46. Opinion Polls

1. Publication of the results of opinion polls related to elections or referendums shall be a form of information of voters, referendum participants. The failure to comply with the requirements of Clauses 2 and 3 of this article when the results of opinion polls are published (made public) shall result in the fact that the materials containing this information will be treated as propaganda materials and such failure shall entail the responsibility established by this Federal Law.

2. When publishing the results of opinion polls related to elections or referendums, the mass media, citizens and organizations that publish (make public) these results shall indicate the organization which conducted the poll, the time when it was conducted, the number of respondents (sample size), the method of information collection, the region where the poll was conducted, the precise formulation of the question, statistical assessment of a possible error, the person (persons) who ordered the poll and paid for the publication of its results.

3. For five days before voting day and on voting day, it shall be prohibited to publish (make public) the results of opinion polls, forecasts of the results of the election, the referendum, other studies relating to the current election or referendum, in particular in public information-telecommunications networks (including the Internet).

Article 47. Television and Radio Broadcasting Organizations and Print Media Used for Informational Support of Elections and Referendums

1. The informational support of elections and referendums of the respective levels shall be provided by means of state, municipal and non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media.

2. In this Federal Law, state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state print media outlets shall mean TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets which are founded (co-founded) or the editorial offices of which are founded (co-founded) by state bodies and organizations and/or which, a year before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, the referendum, received state support in the form of subsidies and/or subventions for their current functioning from the federal budget, budget of a subject of the Russian Federation and/or which have a charter capital where the state has a stake as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, the referendum.

3. In this Federal Law, municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets hall mean TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets which are founded (co-founded) or the editorial offices of which are founded (co-founded) by municipal bodies and organizations and/or which, a year before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, the referendum, received municipal support in the form of subsidies and/or subventions for their current functioning from the local budget and/or which have a charter capital where the municipality has a stake as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, the referendum.

4. In this Federal Law, non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media shall mean TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets which do not fall within Clauses 2 and 3 of this article.

5. In this Federal Law, depending on their coverage or information distribution area, state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets are divided into:

a) national TV and radio broadcasting organizations, i.e. TV and radio organizations which have a broadcasting license covering the territory of a half or more than a half of Russian Federation subjects;

b) regional TV and radio broadcasting organizations, i.e., TV and radio broadcasting organizations which have a broadcasting license covering less than a half of Russian Federation subjects, as well as relevant divisions of the TV and radio broadcasting organizations referred to in sub-Clause a) of this Clause;

c) national print media outlets registered for distribution in a half or more than a half of Russian Federation subjects;

d) regional print media outlets registered for distribution in less than a half of Russian Federation subjects.

6. Print media outlets founded by legislative (representative), executive and judicial bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government exclusively for the publication of their official documents and reports, regulations and other acts shall not publish any propaganda materials and materials highlighting the activity of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups.

7. A list of state and/or municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state and/or municipal print media outlets that must provide their air time, space in print media for election campaigning materials, referendum campaigning materials shall be published by the commission organizing the election, referendum, or a lower commission specified by law at the request of the relevant executive bodies of state power that implement the state policy in the field of mass media, bodies of local self-government.

Article 48. Election Campaigning, Referendum Campaigning

1. Citizens of the Russian Federation, public associations shall be entitled to conduct election campaigning, referendum campaigning in the forms permitted by law and by legal methods.

2. The following shall be regarded as election campaigning in the period of an election campaign:

а) calls for voting for or against a candidate (list of candidates);

b) expression of preference for any of the candidates, an electoral association, electoral bloc, in particular, statements indicating the candidate, list of candidates, electoral association, electoral bloc for which a voter will vote;

c) description of possible consequences of the election or non-election of a candidate (list of candidates);

d) dissemination of materials with a marked predominance of information about some candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs in combination with positive or negative comments;

e) dissemination of information about the activities of a candidate unrelated to his professional activity or performance of his official duties;

f) activity promoting formation of a positive or negative attitude of voters towards a candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc of which the candidate is a member, toward an electoral association, an electoral bloc which nominated the candidate, candidates, list of candidates;

g) other actions which aim at encouraging or are encouraging voters to vote for or against a candidate, list of candidates or against all candidates, all lists of candidates.

3. Election campaigning, referendum campaigning may be conducted:

a) on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media;

b) by means of public events (meetings with citizens, rallies, marches, demonstrations, public debates and discussions);

c) by producing and distributing printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials;

d) by other methods which are not prohibited by law.

4. A candidate, an electoral association, an electoral bloc, a referendum initiative group may select the contents, form and methods of their election campaigning at their own discretion, conduct election campaigning and involve other persons therein in the procedure established by law.

5. Election campaigning, referendum campaigning expenditures shall be paid exclusively from relevant electoral funds, referendum funds in accordance with the procedure established by law. Campaigning in favor of a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, that is paid for from electoral funds of other candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, shall be prohibited.

6. Persons who have not attain to the age of 18 years as of voting day shall not be involved directly or indirectly in election campaigning, referendum campaigning.

7. Election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall not be conducted and any kind of propaganda materials shall not be produced and distributed by:

a) federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of Russian Federation subjects, other state bodies, bodies of local self-government;

b) persons who are in state and municipal service, including military personnel, persons occupying state offices of category A or elective municipal offices when they are discharging their official duties and/or by taking advantage of their office and official position;

c) military units, military institutions and organizations;

d) charity and religious organizations and organizations founded by them as well as representatives of religious associations when they are performing rites and ceremonies;

e) commissions, voting members of commissions;

f) foreign nationals, with the exception of the case referred to in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Federal Law, stateless persons, foreign legal entities;

g) members of the press when they are engaged in their professional activities.

8. Persons who occupy state offices of category A or elective municipal offices shall not conduct election campaigning on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media, save the case where these persons have been registered as candidates.

9. Pictures of a natural person, positive statements of a natural person about a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc may be used in propaganda materials of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs only with a written consent of the natural person. A document confirming such consent shall be submitted to the commission together with copies of propaganda materials to be submitted in accordance with Clause 3, Article 54 of this Federal Law and, if the propaganda material is to be broadcast by a TV and radio broadcasting organization or published in a print media outlet, at the request of an election commission. This restriction shall not apply to opinions quoted by candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs in their election campaigning if these opinions have been expressed in public and published (made public), provided the date (period of time) of the publication and name of the mass media outlet where this opinion was published are indicated. References in propaganda materials to a positive statement of a natural person, who is not allowed to conduct election campaigning under this Federal Law, about a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, a public association comprised in an electoral bloc shall be allowed only if this statement was published (made public) before the official publication of the decision to call the election, and must indicate the date (period of time) when this statement was published (made public) and the name of the mass media outlet where it was made public.

10. A political party, if such party, including a political party comprised in an electoral bloc, or an electoral bloc nominated a candidate (a list of candidates) and then a relevant election commission registered this candidate (list of candidates) not later than ten days before voting day, shall publish its election program in accordance with a relevant level of elections at least in one state print media outlet and in the Internet. A political party comprised in an electoral bloc shall be entitled not to publish its election program, if the electoral bloc publishes its election program within the period indicated above. Such publication shall be carried out with the use of either free space provided by the print media outlet under this Federal Law or space paid for from the electoral fund of the candidate, the electoral association, electoral bloc.

Article 49. Campaigning Period

1. A campaigning period shall commence from the day of nomination of a candidate, list of candidates, referendum initiative group and establishment of the relevant electoral fund, referendum fund. A campaigning period shall end at 00.00 hours local time one day before voting day.

2. Election campaigning, referendum campaigning on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media shall begin 30 days before voting day.

3. No election campaigning shall be conducted on voting day and a day before.

4. Printed propaganda materials (leaflets, posters, etc.), which were earlier displayed outside polling stations and premises of commissions at a minimum distance of 50 meters from the entrance thereto in the procedure established by the federal law, shall remain in place on voting day.

5. In the event of a repeat voting, the campaigning period shall be resumed on the day on which the relevant commission sets the date of the repeat voting and end at 00.00 hours local time one day before the repeat voting day.

Article 50. General Conditions of Election, Referendum Campaigning on the Channels of TV and Radio Broadcasting Organizations and in Print Media

1. State and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of state and municipal print media outlets shall ensure equal conditions for election campaigning for registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, including presentation of their election programs to voters, and for the referendum initiative group, equal conditions for campaigning on the referendum questions in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, another law. Air time on channels of the said TV and radio broadcasting organizations and space in print media shall be provided to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, the referendum initiative group and other referendum participant groups for a charge, and, in cases and in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, another law, free of charge as well (free air time, free space in print media).

2. Registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs shall not be entitled to use free air time, free space in print media provided to them for campaigning in favor of other registered candidates, other electoral associations, electoral blocs. This shall not apply to campaigning by registered candidates nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc, or by an electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated these candidates, in favor of candidates nominated by the same electoral association, electoral bloc.

3. If more than one election campaign, referendum campaign is conducted simultaneously on the same territory, and the periods of campaigning on TV and radio channels and in print media of such campaigns coincide, the total amount of free air time and free space in print media shall not be increased without consent of the TV and radio broadcasting organization, the editorial office of the print media outlet.

4. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of non-state print media outlets that were founded not later than a year before the commencement of the election campaign, referendum campaign, and non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of non-state print media that were founded later than a year before the commencement of the election campaign, referendum campaign by electoral associations, shall be entitled to provide their air time, space in print media to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, the referendum initiative group, other groups of referendum participants. Other non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of non-state print media outlets shall not be entitled to provide their air time, space in print media to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, the referendum initiative group, other groups referendum participant.

5. The terms of payment for the air time, space in print media provided by non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of non-state print media outlets shall be the same for all registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, the referendum initiative groups, other referendum participant groups. This requirement shall not apply to the editorial offices of non-state print media founded by candidates, electoral associations, citizens who are members of the referendum initiative group.

6. At an election, information about the rates charged (in the Russian Federation currency) for air time, space in print media and other terms of payment shall be published by a relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization, editorial office of a print media outlet not later than 30 days after the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, and submitted, within the same period, to the election commission organizing the election or a lower commission specified by law together with a notice of readiness to provide air time, space in print media for election campaigning. At a referendum, such information shall be published and provided to the relevant referendum commission by the TV and radio broadcasting organization, editorial office of a print media outlet not later than one day before the first campaigning material is published thereby.

7. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations, editorial offices of non-state print media outlets, editorial offices of state print media outlets that publish new issues less frequently than once a week, specialized TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of specialized print media outlets (cultural, educational, children-oriented, technical, scientific, etc.), and at an election of federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, at a referendum of the Russian Federation, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, as well as municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of municipal print media shall be entitled to refuse to provide air time, space in print media for election campaigning, referendum campaigning. The failure to provide to the relevant commission a notice referred to in Clause 6 of this article by the time specified in the said Clause shall be regarded as such refusal.

8. Mass media organizations shall maintain separate records of the amount and cost of the air time and space in print media provided for election campaigning, referendum campaigning in the format and in accordance with the procedure established by the relevant commission.

9. Mass media organizations shall keep the records of free and paid provision of air time and space in print media referred to in Clause 8 of this article for at least three years after voting day.

10. Costs of state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and editorial offices of state and municipal print media incurred in the provision of free air time and free space in print media for election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall be accounted for in the operational results of these organizations and editorial offices.

11. Free and paid air time on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and space in print media shall be provided for election campaigning, referendum campaigning under written contracts between a TV and radio broadcasting organization, the editorial office of a print media outlet and candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, representatives of the referendum initiative group entered into before such air time, space in print media are provided.

12. If more than one election campaign is conducted in the same territory at the same time, and the periods of campaigning on TV and radio channels and in print media of such campaigns are the same, a registered candidate nominated in more than one election district for different elections shall be entitled to receive free air time in state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and free space in state and municipal print media in the amount that does not exceed the amount to which he is entitled at the election of a higher (highest) level.

Article 51. Election Campaigning, Referendum Campaigning on Television and Radio

1. Free air time on the channels of state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall be provided to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs on equal terms and conditions (the amount of the provided air time, the time of airing, and other conditions). Free air time on the channels of state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall be provided on equal terms and conditions after the official publication of the decision to call a referendum only to the referendum initiative group and other group of referendum participants that shall be formed by the leading bodies of public associations (their structural divisions) referred to in Clause 2, Article 42 of this Federal Law, provided that the lists of candidates nominated by them were included in the distribution of deputy seats in the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and/or, in accordance with the level of the referendum, in the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, representative body of local self-government.

2. National and regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall provide free air time to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for election campaigning at elections of federal bodies of state power, and to the initiative group for holding a referendum of the Russian Federation and other groups of referendum participants referred to in Clause 1 of this article for campaigning on the questions of the referendum of the Russian Federation. Regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall provide free air time to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for election campaigning at elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, and to the initiative group for holding a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation and other referendum participant groups referred to in Clause 1 of this article for campaigning on the questions of the referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation. Municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall provide free air time to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs for election campaigning at elections of bodies of local self-government, and to the initiative group for holding a local referendum and other referendum participant groups referred to in Clause 1 of this article for campaigning on the questions of the local referendum. Free air time so provided must be provided in prime time when the television and radio audiences are the biggest, as determined by the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization.

3. The total amount of free air time to be provided for election campaigning, referendum campaigning by each national state TV and radio broadcasting organization on each of its channels shall be not less than 60 minutes on working days. The total amount of free air time to be provided for election campaigning, referendum campaigning by each regional state TV and radio broadcasting organization on each of its channels shall be not less than 30 minutes on working days and, if the total broadcasting time of a TV and radio broadcasting organization is less than two hours a day, not less than one-fourth of the total broadcasting time. If, as a result of providing free air time, each registered candidate, each electoral association, each electoral bloc that nominated a registered list of candidates, each referendum initiative group or each other group of referendum participants referred to in Clause 1 of this article gets more than 60 minutes of free air time, the aggregate amount of free air time that each of the TV and radio broadcasting organizations provides for campaigning shall be reduced to total 60 minutes multiplied, respectively, by the number of registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated registered lists of candidates, by the number of groups that have been granted the right to campaign on the referendum questions.

4. Not less than a half of the total amount of free air time shall be provided to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs exclusively for joint debates, "roundtables" and other joint campaigning events. This rule shall not apply if each registered candidate receives less than five minutes of the total amount of free air time. Registered candidates (including those on the lists of candidates) may participate in joint campaigning event only in person, while representatives of a registered candidate shall not participate in such joint campaigning event save as otherwise provided by law. At a referendum, not less than a half of the total amount of free air time shall be provided to the referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups referred to in Clause 1 of this article for joint debates, "roundtables" and such other joint campaigning events.

5. A candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, a referendum initiative group may refuse to participate in a joint campaigning. In this case, the air time allocated for this joint campaigning event shall not be reduced, save the case where as a result of such refusal only one participant is able to participate in this campaigning event. At his request, the participant shall be provided free air time within his share calculated by dividing the air time made available for the joint campaigning event by the total number of the planned participants in this event. Refusal by a registered candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group from participation in a joint campaigning event shall not increase the amount of free air time to which they are entitled.

6. State and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall reserve air time to be acquired on a paid basis for election campaigning, referendum campaigning. The rates and the terms of payment shall be the same for all registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated registered lists of candidates, the referendum initiative group and other groups of referendum participants. The total amount of air time to be reserved shall be equal to the established total amount of free air time or exceed it but not more than by a factor of two. A registered candidate, the said electoral association, electoral bloc, the referendum initiative group, other groups of referendum participants shall be entitled, for a charge, to a part of the total amount of reserved air time, calculated by dividing this total amount by the total number of registered candidates, the said electoral associations, electoral blocs, the number of groups having the right to conduct referendum campaigning, respectively.

7. The provision of extra free and paid air time on equal conditions to electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated registered candidates may be established by law.

8. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations that have satisfied the provisions of Clause 6, Article 50 of this Federal Law, shall provide air time to registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated registered lists of candidates, to the referendum initiative group, and other referendum participant groups on equal conditions (in particular, in terms of the time of airing).

9. Transmission of propaganda materials on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall not be interrupted by transmission of other TV and radio programs, other propaganda materials.

10. Any other terms and conditions of election campaigning, referendum campaigning on television and radio shall be regulated by law.

Article 52. Terms and Conditions of Election Campaigning, Referendum Campaigning Through Print Media

1. Editorial offices of state and municipal print media circulated on the territory on which an election, a referendum is conducted and published at least once a week shall provide space for propaganda materials provided by registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups. The minimum aggregate amount of such space, the availability of free space in print media, the ratio between print space provided by editorial offices free of charge and print space provided on a paid basis shall be established by law.

2. The editorial offices of state and municipal print media outlets published not less than once a week shall reserve space to be acquired on a paid basis for election campaigning, referendum campaigning. The rates and terms of payment shall be the same for all registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups. The total amount of space thus reserved shall be established by law. A registered candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated registered lists of candidates, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant group shall be entitled to paid space from the total amount of the reserved space within a part thereof calculated by dividing the total amount by the total number of registered candidates, the said electoral associations, electoral blocs, or by dividing the total amount by the number of groups entitled to referendum campaigning.

3. The provision of extra paid and free space in print media to electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated registered candidates may be established by law.

4. Editorial offices of non-state print media that satisfied the requirements of Clause 6, Article 50 of this Federal Law, shall be entitled to refuse to provide space in print media for election campaigning, referendum campaigning.

5. Propaganda materials published in accordance with this article shall not be accompanied by any forms of editorial comment or by headlines and illustrations that are not agreed upon with the relevant candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group.

6. All propaganda materials placed in print media shall carry information about the candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, group entitled to referendum campaigning from whose electoral or referendum fund the given publication was paid for. If propaganda materials were published free of charge, the publication shall indicate this fact and name of the entity that placed such material. The editorial office of a print media outlet shall bear the responsibility for the compliance with this requirement.

7. The editorial offices of print media which publish election propaganda materials, save the print media founded by candidates, electoral associations, shall not give preference to any candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group by changing the circulation and publication frequency of the print media.

8. Any other terms and conditions of election campaigning, referendum campaigning in print media shall be regulated by law.

Article 53. Conditions of Election Campaigning, Referendum Campaigning by Means of Mass Events

1. State bodies and bodies of local self-government shall assist registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups in organizing meetings with voters, referendum participants, public debates and discussions, rallies, demonstrations and marches.

2. Applications for the provision of premises to hold meetings of registered candidates and their agents, representatives of electoral associations, electoral blocs with voters, representatives of referendum initiative group and other referendum participant groups with referendum participants shall be considered by state bodies and bodies of local self-government within three days of the day of submission thereof. Notifications of organizers of rallies, demonstrations and marches shall be considered by bodies of local self-government within seven days of the day when they are received, in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

3. On the basis of an application made by a registered candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, initiative group of voters, referendum initiative group, premises which are suitable for holding mass events and are state- or municipality-owned shall be made available by the owner, proprietor, free of charge and for a time to be established by the commission that is vested with such responsibility by law, to registered candidates, their agents, representatives of electoral associations, electoral blocs for meetings with voters, representatives of the referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups with referendum participants. Commissions shall ensure equal conditions in holding mass events for registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups.

4. If the premises indicated in Clause 3 of this article or the premises owned by an organization with a charter capital in which the state and/or municipality holds a stake exceeding 30 percent as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election or the referendum, were provided for holding an election-relation mass event to one of the aforementioned persons, the owner, proprietor of the premises shall not refuse to provide the premises to another person out of the aforementioned persons on the same terms and conditions.

5. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, a referendum initiative group, and other referendum participant groups may rent, on a contractual basis, buildings and premises belonging to citizens and organizations of all forms of ownership to hold meetings with voters, referendum participants, rallies, public debates, discussions and other mass events.

6. Election campaigning and public speeches by registered candidates at an event funded, organized or conducted for the public by bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, state or municipal enterprises or institutions shall be allowed only provided that all registered candidates of this electoral district were notified of such event and granted an opportunity to speak at this event.

7. No election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall be allowed on the territory of military units, in military organizations and institutions, save the case where the only building, premises suitable for meetings with voters is/are located within the territory of a military unit. Such building, premises shall be provided for campaigning events by the commander of the military unit at the request of a relevant commission. Meetings of registered candidates, their agents, representatives of electoral associations, electoral blocs with voters who are military servicemen, and meetings of representatives of a referendum initiative group and other referendum participant groups with referendum participants who are military servicemen shall be ensured by the commander of the military unit together with the relevant commission, subject to a mandatory requirement that all registered candidates or their agents, representatives of the referendum initiative group and other referendum participant groups be notified of the time and the place of such meeting not later than three days before the day of the meeting.

8. Security at mass events organized for the purposes of election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall be ensured by the state bodies in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.

Article 54. Conditions for Production and Distribution of Printed, Audio-Visual and Other Propaganda Materials

1. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, a referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups shall be free to produce and distribute printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials in the procedure established by the legislation of the Russian Federation.

2. All printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials, with the exception of the materials distributed pursuant to Articles 51 and 52 of this Federal Law, shall indicate the name and legal address of the organization (the surname, first name and patronymic of the person and the name of the Russian Federation subject, raion, city, other populated center where the person's place of residence is located) that produced the material, the name of the organization (the surname, first name and patronymic of the person) that placed an order for the material, information about the number of copies printed and the date of publication.

3. Prior to their distribution, printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials or their copies, photos of other propaganda materials shall be submitted to a relevant election commission, referendum commission by the candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group or another referendum participant group. Along with the aforementioned materials the relevant commission shall be furnished information concerning the location (place of residence) of the organization (person) that produced and ordered these materials.

4. Propaganda materials shall not contain commercial advertisements.

5. Propaganda materials shall not be produced without prepayment made from a relevant electoral fund, referendum fund or in violation of the requirements set forth in Clauses 2 and 4 of this article.

6. Distribution of propaganda materials in violation of the requirements set forth in Clause 3 of this article and Clause 9, Article 48 of this Federal Law shall not be allowed.

7. On the recommendation of the relevant commission, bodies of local self-government shall designate special places for displaying printed propaganda materials on the territory of each electoral precinct, referendum precinct. Such places shall be convenient for voters, referendum participants to visit and shall be arranged so that voters, referendum participants could examine the displayed information. The area of such designated places must be sufficient to display the information materials of commissions and propaganda materials of registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups. Registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, a referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups shall be allocated equal areas for displaying their printed propaganda materials. A list of such places shall be communicated by commissions that proposed these places to candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups.

8. Printed propaganda materials may be displayed (posted, placed) inside premises, on buildings, structures, and other objects (with the exception of places specified in Clause 7 of this article) only with consent of and on conditions stated by the owners, proprietors of such objects. Placement of propaganda materials on an object that is state or municipal property or property of an organization that is more than 30 percent owned by the state or a municipality on the day of official publication of the decision to call the election, register a referendum initiative group shall be governed by a set of conditions equally applicable to all candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group and other referendum participant groups. No fee shall be charged for placement of propaganda materials on an object that is state- or municipally owned property.

9. Organizations providing advertising services shall ensure that candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, a referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups are offered the same conditions for placement of propaganda materials.

10. Propaganda materials shall not be placed (posted, displayed) on monuments, obelisks, buildings, structures and premises which have a historical, cultural or architectural value, inside the buildings and premises of commissions and at polling stations or at a distance less than 50 meters from the entrance thereto.

Article 55. Guarantees of the Right of Referendum Participants to Timely Inspection of Text of Draft Law, Another Regulatory Act Submitted to Referendum

If a draft law, another regulatory act is submitted to a referendum, each referendum participant shall be entitled to receive, not later than 30 days before voting day, the text of such draft law at the territorial commission (municipality election commission). The responsibility for printing and distribution of copies of such text shall be borne by the referendum initiative group, unless otherwise provided by law. Payment for the printing of the said text shall be made out of the relevant referendum fund, unless otherwise provided by law.

Article 56. Inadmissibility of Misuse of the Right to Election Campaigning, Referendum Campaigning

1. Misuse of the freedom of mass information in election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall not be allowed. Election programs of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, speeches of candidates or their agents, representatives of electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups, other propaganda materials shall not contain calls for forcible seizure of power, violent change of the constitutional system and violation of the integrity of the Russian Federation, warmongering. Propaganda exciting social, racial, ethnic, religious hatred or enmity, misuse of the freedom of mass information in other forms defined by the legislation of the Russian Federation shall be prohibited. Propaganda shall not be regarded as fomenting social discord if it is aimed at the defense of the ideas of social justice.

2. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, their authorized representatives, referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups and their authorized representatives as well as other persons and organizations involved in election campaigning, referendum campaigning shall not bribe voters, referendum participants: they shall not give them money, gifts and other things of value otherwise than for the performance of organizational work (collection of signatures of voters, referendum participants, campaigning activities); remunerate voters, who perform the said organizational work, depending on the vote returns or promise such remuneration; sell goods at reduced prices; distribute free of charge any goods other than printed materials (including illustrated booklets) and badges specially produced for the election campaign, referendum campaign; render services free of charge or at reduced rates, or influence voters by promises of money, securities, other things of value (in particular, depending on the vote returns) or by rendering services other than on the basis of decisions of bodies of state power or local self-government taken in accordance with the law.

3. In the period of an election campaign, referendum campaign, the election, the referendum and their results shall not be an object of lotteries, totalizators (pari mutiel), and other risk-based games.

4. In the course of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, any commercial advertising or advertising of any activity of candidates, electoral associations, their agents and authorized representatives, public associations comprised in electoral blocs, authorized representatives of electoral blocs, members and authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group or other referendum participant groups that is not related to the election, referendum, or any advertising involving the use of names or images of the above persons, payment for advertisements by organizations of which the above persons or entities are founders, owners, proprietors and/or members of their leading bodies shall be paid for only from the relevant electoral fund, referendum fund. Publication of such advertisements shall not be allowed on voting day and on the day preceding voting day.

5. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs which nominated candidates, their authorized representatives and agents, public associations comprised in electoral blocs that carried out relevant nominations or registrations, members or authorized representatives of a referendum initiative group or other referendum participant groups, as well as organizations registered after the commencement of an election campaign, which have been founded, are owned or possessed by such natural persons and organizations and/or in which such natural persons or organizations are members of their leading bodies shall not engage in any charity activities in the course of the election campaign, the referendum campaign. In the course of an election campaign, a referendum campaign, other natural persons and legal entities shall not engage in any charity activities at the request, on the instructions or on behalf of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, their agents or authorized representatives, public associations comprised in electoral blocs, members or authorized representatives of a referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups, and shall not conduct election campaigning, referendum campaigning simultaneously with the pursuance of charity activities. Such candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, their agents or authorized representatives, public associations comprised in electoral blocs, members or authorized representatives of a referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups shall be prohibited from asking other natural persons or legal entities to render material (in-kind) or financial assistance or services to voters, referendum participants or organizations located on the territory of a relevant electoral district, referendum territory.

6. Mass media organizations shall not make public (publish) propaganda and informational materials (including such materials that contain true information) which may damage the honor, dignity or business reputation of a candidate, if these organizations cannot provide a possibility to the candidate to make public (publish) a denial or some other explanation in defense of his honor, dignity or business reputation before the end of the campaigning period. When a possibility is provided to the candidate to publish (make public) free of charge a denial or some other explanation in defense of his honor, dignity or business reputation, the air time shall be provided at the same time of the day at which the original information was made public, and the amount of this air time shall not be less than the amount of air time provided for presentation of the original information and, in any case, not less than two minutes, and if space in print media is provided, such denial shall be printed in the same type, in the same place on the page and shall be allocated space not less than the space taken up by the original compromising text. The failure to provide such possibility to a candidate before the end of the campaigning period shall constitute grounds for bringing such mass media organizations and their officials to responsibility under the legislation of the Russian Federation. The rules established by this clause shall not apply to the editorial offices of non-state print media outlets founded by candidates, electoral associations.

7. Commissions shall oversee compliance with the established procedure for conducting election campaigning, referendum campaigning.

8. Should a TV and radio broadcasting organization, the editorial office of a print media outlet violate the election campaigning, referendum campaigning rules laid down by this Federal Law, a relevant election commission may apply to law enforcement authorities, courts, bodies of executive power which implement the state policy vis-à-vis the mass media for stopping the unlawful propaganda activities and bringing the TV and radio broadcasting organization, editorial office of the print media outlet, their officials to responsibility under the legislation of the Russian Federation.

9. Law enforcement and other authorities shall take measures to stop unlawful propaganda activities, prevent production of and seize false and unlawful printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials, identify the producers of such materials and the source from which they are paid for and promptly inform a relevant election commission, referendum commission about the facts established and measures taken.

Chapter VIII. Funding of Elections and Referendums

Article 57. Funding of the Preparation and Conduct of Election or Referendum

1. Costs related to the preparation and conduct of an election of a relevant level in the Russian Federation, operation and improvement of means of automation, training of election officials and voter education shall be paid by election commissions from the funds allocated for these purposes from an appropriate budget (the federal budget, the budget of a subject of the Russian Federation and/or the local budget).

2. Costs related to the conduct of a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be paid out of the funds allocated from the federal budget for such purpose. Costs related to the conduct of other referendums shall be paid out of the funds allocated, respectively, from the budget of a subject of the Russian Federation, the local budget for such purpose. Before the decision to call a referendum is officially published, the funds allocated to commissions from the federal budget, the budget of a subject of the Russian Federation, the local budget respectively may only be used to cover the commissions’ expenditures related to the verification of signatures collected in support of the referendum initiative.

3. Allocations for the preparation and conduct of elections and referendums shall constitute a separate entry in the respective budget for the relevant fiscal year. The commissions organizing elections and referendums that receive funds within ten days from the day of official publication of the decision to call (hold) an election, a referendum shall be primarily if charge of managing and disposing of the funds allocated by respective budgets for the conduct of elections and referendums.

4. If the respective budget provides no funding for an election, a referendum, or if the transfer of funds to the commissions organizing an election, a referendum is delayed, the preparation and conduct of such election, referendum shall rely on bank loans to be granted on a competitive basis to such commission or the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation if the election commission organizing an election of bodies of local self-government, a local referendum is not a legal entity. In such case, the maximum amount of expenditures shall not exceed the sum contained in the report of the election commission, referendum commission of the respective level on expenditure of funds in the preparation and conduct of the similar previous election, referendum, with due regard to the change in the size of the minimum monthly wage established by the federal law. The Government of the Russian Federation, the relevant executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, the authorized body of local self-government shall, within ten days of the day of the application made by the relevant commission, issue to this commission a state or municipal guarantee for return of the borrowed funds, including interest thereon.

5. Such borrowed funds and interest thereon shall be repaid, depending on the level of the election, the referendum from the federal budget, the budget of the subject of the Russian Federation, the local budget. Funds allocated for such debt repayment shall be specifically approved by a law or another regulatory act concerning the respective budget for the relevant year.

6. Reports of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, municipality election commissions on spending the budgetary funds on an election, a referendum shall be submitted, respectively, to the houses of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, legislative (representative) bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, representative bodies of local self-government. Chairmen of commissions shall manage the funds allocated for the preparation and conduct of an election, referendum and be responsible, in accordance with the law, for compliance of financial documents with financial decisions of the commissions and for filing statements on expenditure of such funds in accordance with the procedure and by the time established by law.

7. The procedure for establishment and maintenance of accounts, records, reports, and the procedure for transfer of funds allocated from the federal budget of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation to other commissions for the preparation and conduct of elections of federal bodies of state power, referendums of the Russian Federation, operation and improvement of means of automation, training of election officials and education of voters, and supporting the operation of election commissions shall be established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with the concurrence of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The procedure for establishment and maintenance of accounts, records, reports, and the procedure for transferring funds allocated from the budget of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local budget to the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, other commissions for the preparation and conduct of elections of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, to bodies of local self-government, referendums of the subject of the Russian Federation, local referendums, operation and improvement of means of automation, training of election officials and education of voters, and supporting the work of election commissions shall be established by the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation with concurrence of the main office (the national bank) of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in the subject of the Russian Federation.

8. Banks shall charge no fee for opening accounts of election commissions, referendum commissions and for transactions on these accounts and no interest shall accrue on the funds kept in the said bank accounts.

9. Commissions that receive funds from budgets of different levels shall maintain separate accounting records and reports for funds received from the said budgets.

Article 58. Procedure for Establishment of Electoral Funds, Referendum Funds

1. Candidates shall establish their own electoral funds for funding their election campaigns in the period between service of written notice of their nomination (self-nomination) on the relevant election commission and their registration by this election commission. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation may establish that, at elections of bodies of local self-government with a certain number of voters in the electoral district (that shall not exceed five thousand), a candidate need not establish an electoral fund, provided that the candidate does not fund his election campaign. In this case, the candidate shall notify the relevant election commission of the said circumstances. Electoral associations, electoral blocs that nominated lists of candidates shall, for the purpose of funding their election campaigns, establish electoral funds after their authorized representatives, including authorized representatives for financial matters, are registered by relevant election commissions.

2. A referendum initiative group shall establish its own fund for funding its activities related to advancement of the referendum initiative, organization of the collection of signatures in support of such initiative, and activities aimed at obtaining a certain result at the referendum. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation may establish that, when an initiative to hold a local referendum with a certain number of referendum participants on the territory of the relevant municipality (that shall not exceed five thousand), the referendum initiative group need not establish a referendum fund, provided that the group does not fund the preparation and conduct of the referendum. The maximum limit of expenditures from a referendum fund, sources of its formation, and the maximum limit of donations and contributions to the referendum fund shall be established by law. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation that regulates the preparation and conduct of referendums shall provide for the possibility of establishing referendum funds by other referendum participant groups, including funds for propaganda against holding a referendum, participation in a referendum, against questions submitted for a referendum. The said funds shall be governed by the rules established by this Federal Law for a referendum fund established by the referendum initiative group.

3. Candidates shall be entitled to, and electoral associations, electoral blocs, an referendum initiative group must appoint authorized representatives for financial matters. Registration of authorized representatives for financial matters shall be effected by commissions in the procedure established by law.

4. Candidates standing for election only on a list of candidates nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc shall not be entitled to establish their own electoral funds.

5. Electoral funds of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs may be formed only from the following sources:

a) the own money of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc;

b) sums allocated to a candidate by the electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated him ;

c) voluntary donations of citizens;

d) voluntary donations of legal entities;

e) funds allocated to a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc by the relevant election commission in cases established by law.

6. No donations to electoral funds of candidates, registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, to referendum funds shall be allowed from:

а) foreign states and foreign legal entities;

b) foreign nationals, save the case referred to in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Federal Law;

c) stateless persons;

d) citizens of the Russian Federation who have not attained to the age of 18 years on voting day;

e) Russian legal entities with foreign participation if the foreign stake in their charter capital exceeds 30 percent as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, referendum (for open joint-stock companies - as of the date of the list of shareholders for the previous year);

f) international organizations and international public movements;

g) bodies of state power and local self-government;

h) state and municipal institutions and organizations;

i) legal entities with a charter capital where the state or a municipality has a stake exceeding 30 per cent as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, referendum;

j) organizations established by state and municipal bodies and by organizations indicated in Sub-clauses e) and j) of this Clause;

k) military units, military institutions and organizations and law enforcement authorities;

l) charity organizations and religious associations as well as organizations established by them;

m) anonymous donors (regarded as an anonymous donor shall be a citizen who has not indicated or indicated incorrectly any of the following data: the surname, first name and patronymic, the address of the place of residence; a legal entity which has not indicated or indicated incorrectly any of the following data: the taxpayer's identification number, the name, the bank details);

n) legal entities registered less than a year before voting day of the election, referendum.

7. When making a donation, a citizen shall indicate in the payment document the following personal data: surname, first name, patronymic, date of birth, address of his place of residence, series and number of passport or equivalent identity document, citizenship.

8. When making a donation, a legal entity shall indicate in the payment document the following data: the taxpayer's identification number, the name, date of registration, the bank details, absence or presence of a foreign stake in the charter capital and the size of such stake, absence of state or municipal bodies or legal entities referred to in Sub-clauses e) and j) of Clause 6 of this article among the founders.

9. Donations referred to in Clause 6 of this article, donations made in violation of the requirements of Clauses 7 and 8 of this article, or that part of a donation which is in excess of the amount established by law shall be returned to the donors, and donations made by anonymous donors shall be remitted to the relevant budgets.

10. Maximum limits for sums that may be transferred to electoral funds, including own money of a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, money allocated to a candidate by the electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated him, voluntary donations by citizens and legal entities, as well as the maximum limits for expenditures out of electoral funds shall be established by law. Such maximum limits for expenditures out of electoral funds may be increased by up to 20 percent for electoral funds of registered candidates included in the ballot for a repeat voting. A candidate who is simultaneously nominated in more than one electoral district at different elections, if such elections are conducted on the same territory or on territories one of which is located within the other, shall establish electoral funds in accordance with Clause 1 of this article, however, the maximum aggregate limit of expenditure from the funds shall be calculated by the greatest of the above limits.

11. All sums of an electoral fund, a referendum fund shall be transferred to a specialized electoral account, referendum account that is established, with the consent of the relevant commission, by the candidate or his authorized representative for financial matters, authorized representative for financial matters of an electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group at a branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation, and, in the absence of such branches, at other credit institutions located on the territory of the electoral district, referendum territory. In the absence of any credit institutions on the territory of the electoral district, referendum territory a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group shall, with the concurrence of the relevant commission, choose a credit institution at which a special electoral account, a special referendum account is to be established.

12. At elections of federal bodies of state power, referendums of the Russian Federation, the procedure for establishment and maintenance of the said accounts, keeping records of electoral funds, referendum funds, and reporting of such funds shall be established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with the concurrence of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. At elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, and to bodies of local self-government, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum, the procedure for establishment and maintenance of the said accounts, keeping records of electoral funds, referendum funds, and reporting of such funds shall be established by the relevant election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation with the concurrence of the main office (the national bank) of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in the subject of the Russian Federation.

Article 59. Procedure for Spending Electoral Funds, Referendum Funds

1. The authority to manage electoral funds, referendum funds shall be vested in the candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups, other referendum participant group that established these funds.

2. Electoral funds, referendum funds shall be intended for particular purposes. Electoral funds may be used by candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs only to cover expenses related to their election campaigns. Referendum funds may be used by the referendum initiative group only for activities aimed at advancing a referendum initiative, collection of signatures in support of this initiative, and obtaining a certain result at the referendum, other referendum participant groups may use the funds only for activities aimed at obtaining a certain result at the referendum.

3. Electoral funds, referendum funds may be used for:

a) financial support to organizational-technical measures aimed at collecting signatures of voters, referendum participants in support of the nomination of a candidate, list of candidates, referendum initiative, to include compensation of persons engaged to collect signatures of voters, referendum participants;

b) election campaigning, referendum campaigning, and payment for information and consultancy work (services);

c) payment for other work (services) performed by citizens or legal entities, and payment of other expenses directly related to the conduct of their election campaigns by candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, to the activity of the referendum initiative group aimed at advancing a referendum initiative, collecting signatures in support of this initiative, and obtaining a certain result at the referendum, to the activity of other referendum initiative groups aimed at obtaining a certain result at the referendum;

d) payment of an electoral deposit.

4. Contracts (agreements) with citizens and legal entities for performance of certain work (services) related to the election campaign of a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, to a referendum campaign, shall be entered into personally by the candidate or his authorized representative for financial matters, an authorized representative for financial matters of an electoral association, electoral bloc, the referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups. Settlements for performance of such work (services) between a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group and legal entities shall be effected only on a non-cash basis.

5. Citizens and legal entities shall be entitled to provide financial (monetary) support to a candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group only through electoral funds, referendum funds. It shall be prohibited, without a written consent of a candidate or his authorized representative for financial matters, an authorized representative for financial matters of an electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, and without payment out of the relevant electoral fund, referendum fund, to perform paid work, sell goods, render paid services that are directly or indirectly related to an election, a referendum or aimed at obtaining certain results at an election, at advancing a referendum initiative, obtaining a certain result at a referendum. Legal entities, their subsidiaries, branches, representation offices, and other divisions shall be prohibited from performing free of charge, or at unreasonably low rates, any work, services, sell goods that are directly or indirectly related to the election, referendum or are aimed at obtaining a certain result at the election, at advancing a referendum initiative, obtaining a certain result at the referendum. A citizen may voluntarily and personally perform work, services in relation to the preparation and conduct of an election, referendum without engaging any third parties.

6. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups shall be prohibited from using any funds other than their electoral funds, referendum funds for payment for work related to the collection of signatures of voters, referendum participants, election campaigning, referendum campaigning, any other activities aimed at obtaining a certain results at an election, a referendum.

7. The credit institution that is a holder of a special electoral account, a special referendum account shall, at the request of the relevant commission, candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, periodically provide them with information about receipt of funds on and withdrawal of funds from the electoral account of this candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, the special referendum account of this referendum initiative group. At the request of the relevant commission and in relation to the relevant electoral fund, referendum fund and at the request of the candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group the credit institution that is a holder of a special electoral account, a special referendum account shall, within three days or if the request is submitted three days prior to voting day - immediately, issue certified copies of initial financial documents evidencing receipt and spending of electoral funds, referendum funds.

8. Before voting day at an election, referendum, the relevant election commission shall periodically send the information about receipt and spending of electoral funds, referendum funds to mass media for publication. Editorial offices of state and municipal print media outlets, in accordance with the level of the election, referendum shall publish the said information provided to them by commissions for publication within three days of receipt of such information. The scope of information that is required to be published shall be established by law.

9. A candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, a referendum initiative group shall present to the relevant commission at least two financial reports (one report not later than 10 days before voting day of the election, referendum, and the final report not later than 30 days after the publication of the results of the election, the referendum) indicating the size of their electoral fund, referendum fund, all sources from which it was formed, and all expenses that have been paid from it. The final financial report shall be presented together with initial financial documents evidencing receipt and spending of the electoral fund, referendum fund. Copies of the said reports shall be issued by the commissions to mass media not later than five days from the day of their receipt.

10. It may be required by law that an electoral association, electoral bloc that registered a list of candidates which was not included in the distribution of deputy seats and received less votes of the total vote at the election than required by such law, reimburse mass media organizations for the expenses incurred by such organizations to ensure the right of this electoral association, electoral bloc to free air time and free space in print media for election campaigning. The said number of votes shall not exceed two percent of the total vote.

11. Candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups shall remit any unspent funds remaining in the special electoral account, referendum account after voting day to citizens and legal entities that made donations to their electoral funds, referendum funds in proportion to the donations. After the expiration of the period of thirty days from voting day, the credit institution shall dispose of the balance of unspent funds in the special electoral account, referendum account in the following manner: without further authorization and at the written instruction of the relevant commission, it shall remit to the commission the funds due to it, and transfer the remainder of the funds to the relevant budget.

12. The procedure for taxation of electoral funds, referendum funds, voluntary donations and transfers to the said funds, and spending of the said funds shall be established by the federal laws.

13. Commissions shall exercise control over formation and spending of electoral funds, referendum funds. State bodies and authorized bodies and organizations in charge of registration of legal entities shall, at the request of commissions, verify, within five days, the accuracy of the information provided by legal entities that donated funds to electoral funds, referendum funds and notify the relevant commissions of the results of such verification.

Article 60. Supervisory and Auditing Services

1. For the purposes of supervision over proper spending of funds allocated to commissions for the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum, and over sources, proper accounting, and use of electoral funds, referendum funds, for auditing of financial documents of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups, for verification of information provided by candidates under Clause, Article 33 of this Federal Law about their property, income and sources thereof, for supervision over the return of budgetary funds allocated by relevant election commissions to electoral funds of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, supervisory and auditing services shall be established.

2. Supervisory and auditing services shall be established under the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, district election commissions for elections of federal bodies of state power, and in cases established by law, and under other commissions managers and experts from state and other bodies and institutions, including the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation, main offices (national banks) of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation in subjects of the Russian Federation may be retained. The said bodies and institutions, at the request of the relevant election commission and not later than one month after the publication of the decision on calling (holding) an election, a referendum, shall send their specialists to and put them at the disposal of the commissions. In this case, specialists shall be assigned to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation for periods of at least five months, and to district election commissions, for periods of at least three months.

3. For the periods of their work in supervisory and auditing services, specialists referred to in Clause 2 of this article shall be relieved from their main work and retain their jobs, salaries, and other benefits at their main place of work, and they may receive additional compensations out of the funds allocated for the preparation and conduct of elections and referendums.

Chapter IX. Guarantees of Citizens’ Rights in Organization and Conduct of Voting, Counting of Votes at Elections and Referendums, Establishment of Results of Elections, Referendums and Their Publication

Article 61. Polling Station

1. A polling station shall be made available to a precinct commission free of charge by the head of the relevant municipality (if the charter of a municipality does not provide for the office of the head of municipality, by a person authorized to do so by the representative body of local self-government), and in cases established by this Federal Law, another federal law, by the commanding officer of a military unit, the captain of a ship, the head of a polar station, the head of a diplomatic or consular mission of the Russian Federation.

2. A polling station shall have a hall with booths or other special places for secret voting, provided with a lighting system and writing utensils other than pencils.

3. Inside or directly in front of the polling station a precinct election commission shall set up a notice-board for displaying the following information about all candidates, lists of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs included in the ballot:

а) biographical information about the candidates in the scope established by the commission organizing the election but not less than the scope of biographical information indicated in the ballot;

b) if a candidate, a list of candidates were nominated by an electoral association, electoral bloc, the words "Nominated by the electoral association, electoral bloc" specifying the name of the electoral association, electoral bloc that nominated the candidate, list of candidates;

c) if the candidate is self-nominated, the words "Independent candidate;"

d) information about grounds for registration of candidates, lists of candidates (voter signatures, electoral deposit, other grounds), and in cases specified in Clause 16, Article 38 of this Federal Law, such information is not required to be stated;

e) information about personal income and properties of candidates in the scope established by the election commission organizing the election;

f) information (if any) about the inaccuracy of the data submitted by candidates referred to in Clause 2 and 3, Article 33 of this Federal Law (if such information is available).

4. If a registered candidate, including candidates on the lists of candidates, has a conviction that has not been cancelled or annulled, the notice-board shall display information about the candidate’s convictions.

5. If a registered candidate, including candidates on the lists of candidates, has citizenship of a foreign state, this fact and the name of the relevant foreign state, shall be included in the information displayed on the notice-board.

6. At a referendum, the notice-board shall carry informational materials on referendum questions, including the text of the regulatory act submitted to the referendum.

7. Materials placed on the notice-board shall not contain elements of election propaganda, referendum propaganda.

8. The notice-board shall carry samples of marked ballots that must not contain the names of candidates registered in this electoral district, names of electoral associations, electoral blocs participating in this election, samples of ballots for voting at the referendum that must show all options for marking the ballot (ballots).

9. At the polling station, there shall be an enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns where vote returns shall be entered as they are established. Such enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns shall be posted before the commencement of voting so that it is within the field of vision of members of a precinct election commission, observers, at a distance at which they can read the information contained therein.

10. Inside the polling station there shall be stationary ballot boxes. The functions of stationary ballot boxes may be performed by vote-counting machines, including programmed technical complexes for processing of ballots.

11. The polling station shall be fitted out so that the places where ballots are issued, places for secret voting, and ballot boxes, technical equipment for vote counting remains in the field of vision of members of the precinct commission and the observers.

Article 62. Absentee Certificate

In cases and in the procedure established by law, a voter, a referendum participant who is unable, on voting day, to come to the polling station of an electoral precinct, referendum precinct where he is included in the voters list, referendum participants list may receive an absentee certificate from a relevant commission and take part in the voting in that electoral precinct, referendum precinct where he will be on voting day within the boundaries of the electoral district, referendum territory where the given voter, referendum participant is entitled to an active electoral right, the right to participate in a referendum. Absentee certificates shall be documents subject to strict accountability.

Article 63. Ballots

1. In order to participate in an election, a referendum, a voter, referendum participant shall be issued a ballot.

2. Ballots shall be produced on the instruction of the relevant commission and shall be documents subject to strict accountability. Numbering of ballots shall not be allowed. The quantity of produced ballots shall not exceed the number of registered voters, referendum participants by more than three percent.

3. Ballots shall be produced:

а) for elections of federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation:

with the use of special paper (paper with water marks or colored paper) or special paint;

with a micro-inscription or a protective grid printed thereon at a printing house;

b) for elections of bodies of local self-government (save elections of representative bodies of local self-government in electoral districts where the number of voters is five thousand or less):

with the use of colored paper or special paint or with a colored background applied by a print shop;

with a micro-inscription or a protective grid printed thereon at a print shop;

4. The form and the text of the ballot, the quantity of ballots, and the procedure for supervision over their production shall be approved by the relevant commissions not later than 25 days before voting day. The text shall be printed only on one side of the ballot. In the event of a repeat voting, the text of the ballot, the quantity of ballots shall be approved by the relevant commission at the time it takes the decision to hold the repeat voting.

5. For voting on candidates, surnames of registered candidates shall be arranged in the ballot in the alphabetical order, and the ballot shall contain the following information about each registered candidate:

а) surname, first name, patronymic;

b) year of birth;

c) place of residence (name of a Russian Federation subject, raion, city, other populated center);

d) main place of work or service, official position (occupation, if there is no main place of work or service);

e) if a candidate is a deputy and exercises his powers on a non-permanent basis, this fact and the name of the representative body;

f) if a candidate was nominated by a political party, electoral bloc, the words "Nominated by the political party (electoral bloc)" and the abbreviated name of the political party, electoral bloc;

g) if a candidate is a self-nominated candidate, the words "Independent candidate;"

h) information about the grounds for registration (voter signatures, electoral deposit, other grounds), while this information shall not be indicated in the case provided by Clause 16, Article 38 of this Federal Law.

If a registered candidate indicated his membership in some public association in accordance with Clause 2, Article 33 of this Federal Law, the ballot shall also indicate the abbreviated name of this public association and the status of the registered candidate in this public association.

If a registered candidate is also nominated on a list of candidates registered by the relevant election commission, this fact shall be indicated on the ballot.

6. For voting on lists of candidates, the ballot shall contain abbreviated names of electoral associations, electoral blocs arranged in an order determined as a result of lot-drawing, and also surnames, first names, patronymics of at least first three candidates from the list and/or its respective regional part, and black-and-white emblems of electoral associations, electoral blocs.

7. If a registered candidate indicated in the ballot has a conviction that has not been cancelled and annulled, the ballot shall contain information about the candidate's convictions. If a registered candidate put on the ballot has a foreign citizenship, the ballot shall indicate this fact and the name of the relevant foreign state.

8. A blank box shall be placed to the right of the data of each registered candidate indicated under Clauses 5 and 6 of this article, to the right of the name of each electoral association, electoral bloc. A line reading "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates") with a blank box to the right thereof shall be placed at the end of the list of registered candidates, names of electoral associations, electoral blocs.

9. For voting at a referendum, the ballot shall contain the text of the question submitted to the referendum and indicate the options for expression of the voter’s will with the words "Yes" or "No" over which blank boxes are placed. If more than one question is submitted to a referendum, they shall be put on different ballots. If a draft law, regulatory act of a body of local self-government is submitted to a referendum, the ballot shall either reproduce its text or unambiguously set forth the contents of this text.

10. Ballots shall be printed in the Russian language. Subject to a decision of the commission specified by law, ballots shall be printed in the Russian language and in the official language of the given republic comprised in the Russian Federation and, in the necessary cases, in the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation in the territories where they are concentrated. If ballots for an electoral precinct are printed in two or more languages, the Russian text shall be printed on each ballot.

11. Ballots produced by a print shop shall be inspected and defective ballots rejected by the personnel of the print shop under the supervision of voting members of the commission that placed, in accordance with the law, an order for the ballots, and then the ballots shall be handed over to the members of this commission on the basis of a certificate. After the ballots packed in bundles are handed over in the quantity corresponding to the order, the personnel of the print shop shall destroy rejected and surplus ballots (if any) and shall draw up a certificate to this effect. The commission that placed the order for the ballots shall notify all members of this commission, relevant candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, the referendum initiative group, other referendum participant groups (their representatives) of the time when and the place where ballots are to be inspected and handed over to the appropriate commission. The print shop shall allow at least one representative from each candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group to be present when all these actions are performed, and each of these persons may put his signature on the certificates mentioned in this Clause.

12. After receiving ballots from the print shop, the commission shall deliver the ballots, of the basis of an acceptance certificate, to lower commissions that shall deliver the ballots to lower commissions down to precinct commissions, in accordance with the same procedure.

13. The chairmen of the commissions that deliver and accept the ballots shall bear responsibility for correct delivery of ballots.

14. Ballots shall be delivered to territorial (district) commissions not later than 20 days before voting day, and to precinct commissions, not later than three days before voting day.

15. The quantity of ballots to be delivered on the basis of an acceptance certificate to a precinct commission shall be determined by a decision of the higher commission. Such quantity shall not exceed by more than 0.5 percent or be less than 90 percent of the number of voters, referendum participants that have been included in the list of voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct as of the day of the ballot delivery. If the number of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants is less than 200, two extra ballots shall be given to the precinct commission.

16. Signatures of two voting members of the precinct election commission certified by the commission's seal shall be put in the upper right corner on the face of all ballots received by the precinct election commission.

17. If a registered candidate, list of candidates withdraw after ballots have been produced, territorial, district, and precinct election commissions shall, on the instruction of the commission which registered this candidate, list of candidates, cross out the data of this candidate, list of candidates on ballots.

18. If in accordance with the law a decision is taken to register candidates, federal list of candidates to transfer a place on the list to the next registered candidate in replacement of a candidate who withdrew after the ballots had been produced less than seven days before voting day, the commission that registered a candidate, list of candidates shall be entitled to make a decision to put the data of the said registered candidate, list of candidates into the printed ballots by hand or through using technical equipment.

19. In exceptional cases, in electoral precincts, referendum precincts formed in remote and hard-to-reach areas, on ships at sea on voting day, at polar stations, outside the territory of the Russian Federation electoral documents, including ballots, may be produced by a precinct commission itself. A decision to produce electoral documents, indicating the required number of ballots and the deadline for their production, shall be taken by this precinct commission with the concurrence of the higher commission.

20. On voting day, after the voting time ends, commissions shall count and cancel unused ballots. In precinct commissions, this procedure is carried out in accordance with Clause 3, Article 68 of this Federal Law. In other commissions, statements of ballot cancellation specifying the number of cancelled ballots shall be drawn up. Persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law may be present when ballots are being cancelled. Cancelled ballots shall be handed over for safekeeping with the other documentation of the commission to the secretary of the commission.

Article 64. Voting Procedure

1. The time of the commencement and the end of voting at an election, referendum shall be established by law, and the duration of voting shall not be less than ten hours. If voting day at an election of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum is the same as voting day at an election of federal bodies of state power, the House of Representatives of the Union State, at a referendum of the Russian Federation, the provisions of federal law that set the time of commencement and end of voting shall apply.

2. The time and place of voting shall be communicated to voters, referendum participants by territorial and precinct commissions not later than 20 days before voting day through mass media or otherwise, and if early or repeat voting is conducted the time and place of voting shall be communicated in the procedure and at the time established by law but not later than five days before voting day.

3. On voting day and before the beginning of voting, the chairman of a precinct commission shall present for inspection by members of the precinct commission, by voters, referendum participants who are present, by persons specified in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law empty ballot boxes (relevant compartments of the technical vote counting equipment, if any) that are then sealed with the precinct commission’s seal.

4. Each voter, referendum participant shall vote in person, voting on behalf of other voters, referendum participants shall be prohibited.

5. Ballots shall be issued to voters, referendum participants who are included in a list of voters, referendum participants against presentation of their passports or equivalent identity documents, and if a voter, referendum participant votes on the basis of an absentee certificate, against presentation of such absentee certificate.

6. When receiving a ballot, a voter, referendum participant shall write the series and number of his passport or equivalent identity document in the list of voters, referendum participants. With the consent of a voter, referendum participant or at his request, the series and number of the passport or equivalent identity document presented by him may be written in the list of voters, referendum participants by a voting member of the precinct commission. The voter, referendum participant shall verify the correctness of the entry and sign in the respective box of the list of voters, referendum participants for receipt of a ballot. In the event of voting on the basis of an absentee certificate, additional notes shall be made in the list of voters, referendum participants. In the event of voting with more than one ballot at a time, a voter, referendum participant shall sign for receipt of each ballot. The member of the precinct commission who issued a ballot (ballots) to a voter, referendum participant shall also sign in the relevant box of the list of voters, referendum participants.

7. A voter, referendum participant shall vote by putting any mark in the box (boxes) corresponding to the candidate (candidates) or a list of candidates chosen by the voter or the box to the right of the words "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates"), and in a referendum ballot, by putting any mark in the box corresponding to the option chosen.

8. A ballot shall be marked by a voter, referendum participant in a specially equipped booth or another specially equipped place where the presence of other persons shall not be allowed, save as otherwise provided by Clause 10 of this article.

9. If a voter, referendum participant thinks that he has made a mistake when marking a ballot, he may ask the commission member who had issued the ballot to give him a new ballot in place of the spoilt one. The commission member shall issue a new ballot to the voter, note this fact in the list of voters, referendum participants against the name of this voter. The spoilt ballot shall be immediately cancelled, and a statement to this effect shall be made.

10. A voter, referendum participant who is not able to sign for receipt of a ballot or mark a ballot by himself may be assisted by another voter, referendum participant who is not a member of the commission, or a registered candidate, or an authorized representative or agent of an electoral association, electoral bloc, registered candidate, a referendum initiative group, or an observer. In this case, a voter shall orally inform the election commission of his intention to ask for assistance in marking the ballot. The surname, first name and patronymic, series and number of the passport or an equivalent identity document of the person assisting such voter, referendum participant shall be indicated in the appropriate box (boxes) of the list of voters, referendum participants.

11. Voters, referendum participants shall drop marked ballots into sealed (tamper-proof) ballot boxes or into the technical vote counting equipment, if such equipment is used.

12. A member of a precinct commission shall be immediately barred from participation in its work and an observer and other persons shall be expelled from the polling station if they commit a violation of a law governing the election, the referendum. In this case, a reasoned written decision to this effect shall be taken by the precinct commission. The decision shall be taken in writing. The law enforcement authorities shall enforce the decision and take steps to bring the barred member of the precinct commission, expelled observer and other offenders to responsibility under the legislation of the Russian Federation.

13. Registered candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, members of referendum initiative groups and their agents or authorized representatives as well as the organizations, which are founded, owned, possessed by the said persons and organizations and/or which have leading bodies where the said persons and organizations are represented, other natural persons and legal entities acting at the request or on the instructions of the said persons and organizations shall not take any actions to arrange for transportation of voters, referendum participants for participation in voting.

14. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation may provide for the possibility of voting by post for voters, referendum participants. In this case, these votes shall be deemed received by the relevant commission if delivered not later than the end of voting on voting day. The procedure for voting by post at elections of bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, referendums of a subject of the Russian Federation, locals referendums shall, until this issue is regulated by a federal law, be established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

Article 65. Early Voting

1. An early voting at elections of federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation, in a referendum of the Russian Federation, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation shall not be conducted in the procedure established by Clauses 2-9 of this article.

2. At an election of bodies of local self-government, a local referendum, a voter, referendum participant who on voting day is absent from his place of residence and cannot come to the polling station in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct in which he was included in the list of voters, referendum participants for a valid reason (leave or vacation, business trip, hours of work or study, state or public duties, state of health) shall, if law does not allow voting by absentee certificates, be granted a possibility to vote early by marking a ballot at the premises of the relevant territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission (15 to 4 days before voting day), or the precinct commission (not earlier than three days before voting day). A voter, referendum participant who votes early shall submit to the relevant commission an application stating the reasons for early voting. This application shall be attached to the list of voters, referendum participants who voted early. The commission shall ensure the secrecy of voting, prevent any possibility of the will of a voter, referendum participant being distorted, arrange for the safekeeping of the ballot and ensure that the vote cast by the voter, referendum participant will be counted when vote returns are determined.

3. If a voter, referendum participant votes at the premises of the territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission, signatures of two members of the commission certified by the commission's seal shall be put in the upper right corner on the face of the ballot issued to him. The territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission shall compile a list of voters, referendum participants who voted early. Precinct commissions shall continue compiling, for the relevant precinct, the lists of voters, referendum participants who voted early, which they receive from the higher commissions.

4. A ballot marked by a voter, referendum participant voting early shall be put by the voter, referendum participant into an envelope and the envelope shall then be sealed. Two voting members of, respectively, territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission or the precinct commission and non-voting members of the commission, observes (if they so desire) shall put their signatures on the envelope seam. The said signatures shall be certified by the seal of the respective commission and a signature of the voter, referendum participant who voted early.

5. The sealed envelope with ballots shall be kept by the secretary of the relevant commission in the office of the territorial commission, district election commission, election commission of the municipality until the time when all ballots are transferred to precinct commissions, and in the office of the precinct commission, until voting day.

6. On voting day, the chairman of a precinct commission, shall get ready the technological vote counting equipment, if such equipment is used, switch this equipment to the voting mode and officially open the polling station in the presence of members of the precinct commission, observers, other persons referred to in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. Before the commencement of voting, he shall announce the total number of voters, referendum participants who cast their votes early, including those who voted early at the premises of the territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission and shall produce for visual inspection the sealed envelopes with ballots and a list of voters, referendum participants who voted early. After this, the chairman of the precinct commission shall open each envelope in turn.

7. If the number of voters, referendum participants who voted early is more than one percent of the number of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct (but not less than ten voters, referendum participants), the ballots of voters, referendum participants who voted early shall be stamped on the back with the seal of the precinct commission immediately after the ballots are taken out of the envelopes.

8. After the performance of the actions described in Clauses 6 and 7 of this article, the chairman of the precinct commission shall, while observing the secrecy of the expression of the voters', referendum participants' will, drop the ballots into a stationary ballot box or a technological vote counting equipment, if such equipment is used. If an envelope does not bear the required marks provided for by Clause 4 of this article, or more than one ballot of the standard form established for the relevant district is taken out of the envelope, all ballots taken out from this envelope shall be declared invalid and a written statement shall be drawn up to this effect. An inscription stating the reasons for declaring a ballot invalid, certified by signatures of two voting members of the precinct commission and a seal of the precinct commission, shall be made on the face of each ballot in the boxes located to the right of the data of the candidates, lists of candidates, the option "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates"), the option "Yes" and "No."

9. On the list of voters, referendum participants the surnames of voters, referendum participants who voted early shall be marked with the words "Voted early."

10. In cases and in the procedure established by law, the relevant commission shall be entitled, with the concurrence of the higher commission, to allow early voting (but not earlier than 20 days before voting day) to be conducted in remote and hard-to-reach areas, on ships at sea on voting day, at polar stations, at one or more electoral precincts, referendum precincts.

Article 66. Arrangements for Voters, Referendum Participants to Vote Outside Polling Station

1. A precinct commission shall make voting arrangements for voters, referendum participants who are included in the list of voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct but cannot come to the polling station on their own, due to valid reasons (poor health, physical disability).

2. Save the cases referred to in Clause 10, Article 65 of this Federal Law, voting outside a polling station shall be conducted only on voting day and only on the basis of a written or oral application (including such written or oral application relayed by other persons) of a voter, referendum participant for an opportunity to vote outside a polling station. A precinct commission shall register all such written (oral) applications in a special register and, after the end of voting, shall keep this register together with the lists of voters, referendum participants.

3. An entry in the register mentioned in Clause 2 of this article, registering an oral application shall indicate the time when the application was received, the surname, first name, patronymic of the voter, referendum participant who stated his intention to vote outside the polling station, his place of residence, and shall be signed by the member of the commission who received this application. If such application was relayed by another person, the register shall also indicate the surname, first name and patronymic and place of residence of such person. Upon the arrival of members of a precinct election commission to the voter, the voter shall confirm his oral application by a written application.

4. A written (oral) application for voting outside the polling station must state the reason why the voter, referendum participant is unable to come to the polling station and must indicate the same data of the voter, referendum participant as is contained in the list of voters, referendum participants.

5. Written (oral) applications referred to in Clause 4 of this article may be submitted to the precinct commission not later than four hours before the end of voting time.

6. At least 30 minutes before the departure of members of a precinct election commission, the chairman of the precinct election commission shall announce that commission members are going to conduct voting outside the polling station.

7. A precinct election commission may determine that the reason for which a voter, referendum participant cannot come to the polling station on his own is untenable and refuse to conduct voting outside the polling station for the voter, referendum participant..

8. A precinct commission shall have the necessary number (but not more than three) of mobile ballot boxes, that shall be determined by the commission’s decision.

9. Members of a precinct commission who are to conduct voting outside the polling station on the basis of such written (oral) applications shall receive ballots and sign for their receipt. Voting outside the polling station shall be conducted by at least two voting members of the precinct commission who shall have a sealed (temper proof) mobile ballot box that was sealed or temper proof at the precinct commission, the required number of ballots of the established form, the register described in Clause 2 of this article or a certified excerpt from the register containing the necessary data of the voter, referendum participant and the information about the received written (oral) application for voting outside the polling station, applications for voting outside the polling station received from voters, referendum participants, and required writing utensils needed for a voter, referendum participant to mark the ballot. Voting outside the polling station may be conducted by one voting member of a precinct election commission, provided that not less than two persons indicated in Clause 14 of this article are present at the voting.

10. Voting outside the polling station shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 64 of this Federal Law.

11. In the written application for voting outside the polling station, the voter, referendum participant shall indicate the series and number of his passport or an equivalent identity document and shall sign for receipt of each ballot. With the consent or at the request of the voter, referendum participant the series and number of his passport or an equivalent identify document may be entered in the application by a voting member of a precinct election commission. Voting members of a precinct election commission shall confirm the issuance of ballots by putting their signatures on the written application. A corresponding note shall be made on the application when a new ballot is issued in place of a spoilt one, and a note indicating the total number of received ballots shall be made, if a voter, referendum participant receives more than one ballot (depending on the type of the election and on the combination of elections, referendums).

12. Members of a precinct commissions who come to the voter’s, referendum participant’s place in response to their written (oral) applications may issue ballots only to those voters, referendum participants whose written (oral) applications were recorded in the register under Clause 2 of this article.

13. The series and number of the passport or an equivalent identity document of a voter, referendum participant who voted outside the polling station shall be written in the list of voters, referendum participants by voting members of the precinct commission who went to the voter’s, referendum participant’s place in response to their written (oral) applications. At the same time, the words "Voted outside the polling station," signed by the commission members indicated above, shall be written in the appropriate column (columns) of the list of voters, referendum participants.

14. When voting is carried out outside the polling station, non-voting members of an election commission, observers may be present at the voting. In this case, a precinct election commission shall provide the same possibilities to come to the place of voting both for voting members of the precinct election commission who conduct voting outside the polling station and for not less than two non-voting members of the election commission, observers appointed by different candidates, political parties, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups, other referendum participant groups.

15. Voting outside the polling station shall be organized so as to prevent any violations of electoral rights of a voter, referendum participant and distortion of the expression of their will.

16. If a voter, referendum participant who made a written or oral application for voting outside the polling station comes to the polling station to vote after members of the precinct election commission were sent to him to conduct voting outside the polling station, a relevant member of the precinct election commission shall not issue a ballot to this voter at the polling station until the commission members who organize voting outside the polling station in response to the written or oral application of this voter, referendum participant come back and it has been established that the voter, referendum participant has not voted outside the polling station.

17. A separate certificate shall be drawn up to record the number of written and oral applications of voters, referendum participants for voting outside the polling station and the number of issued, used and returned ballots, and such certificate shall also indicate the non-voting members of a precinct election commission and observers who were present when voting outside the polling station was conducted.

Article 67. Protocol of Vote Returns of Precinct Commission

1. A precinct commission shall compile a protocol of vote returns for the relevant election precinct, referendum precinct.

2. A protocol of vote returns shall consist of a single sheet of paper. In exceptional cases, such protocol may consist of more than one sheet, and each sheet shall be signed by all present voting members of the precinct commission. A protocol of vote returns shall contain:

a) the number of the copy;

b) the name of the election, referendum, the date of voting;

c) the word "Protocol;"

d) the name of the commission specifying the number of the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

e) protocol lines in the following succession:

line 1: the number of voters, referendum participants who were included in the list as of the end of voting time;

line 2: the number of ballots received by the precinct commission;

line 3: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted early, and a separate line 4 shall state the number of voters who voted early at the premises of the territorial (district) commission, municipality electoral commission ;

line 5: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants at the polling station on voting day;

line 6: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted outside of the polling station on voting day;

line 7: the number of cancelled ballots;

line 8: the number of ballots contained in mobile ballot boxes;

line 9: the number of ballots contained in stationary ballot boxes;

line 10: the number of invalid ballots;

line 11: the number of valid ballots;

line 12 and the following lines: the number of votes for each of the options contained in all ballots, including the option "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates"), the number of votes for the options "Yes" and "No" in a referendum.

If a law provides for voting by absentee certificates, the protocol of vote returns shall also contain the lines:

line 11a: the number of absentee certificates received by the precinct commission;

line 11b: the number of absentee certificates issued by the precinct commission to voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct before voting day;

line 11c: the number of voters, referendum participants who voted by absentee certificates in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

line 11d: the number of absentee certificates cancelled in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

f) information about the number of grievances (applications), statements and other documents that are appended to the protocol, which were received by the precinct commission on voting day before the end of counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants;

g) surnames and the initials of the chairman, deputy chairman, secretary and the other voting members of the precinct commission, and their signatures;

h) the date and time when the protocol was signed;

i) the seal of the precinct commission.

3. The numbers specified in Clause 2 of this article shall be entered into the protocol of vote returns both in figures and in words. The numbering of the lines of the protocol shall be established by law.

Article 68. Procedure of Counting Votes Cast by Voters, Referendum Participants and Compilation of Protocol of Vote Returns by Precinct Commission

1. Votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall be counted openly and publicly, with the number of ballots and number of votes cast by voters, referendum participants, as counted by the voting members of a precinct election commission, being consecutively announced and entered in the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns.

2. Counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall begin immediately after the voting time expires and shall be continued without interruption until the vote returns are determined. These vote returns shall be made known to all members of the precinct commission and observers. If elections of different levels are combined, votes cast at the election of federal bodies of state power, to bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation shall be counted first, after which votes cast at the election of bodies of local self-government shall be counted.

3. After the end of voting, voting members of a precinct election commission in the presence of persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law shall count unused ballots, cancel them by cutting off the lower left corner (care shall be taken to avoid damaging the boxes located on the ballots to the right of the data of registered candidates, names of electoral associations, electoral blocs and to the right of the lines "Against all candidates," "Against all federal lists of candidates", the boxes located under the options "Yes" and "No"), announce the number of cancelled ballots obtained by summing up the number of unused ballots and the number of ballots spoilt by voters, referendum participants in the course of voting and enter the number of cancelled ballots in line 7 of the protocols of vote returns and enlarged forms of these protocols. If a technological vote counting equipment is used, this information after its announcement shall be entered in line 7 of the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns.

4. The chairman, deputy chairman, or secretary of a precinct commission shall ascertain, announce and enter in line 2 of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form the number of ballots received by the precinct commission (the ballots of voters, referendum participants who voted early at the premises of territorial commission, district election commission, municipality commission, which were taken out of the envelopes, shall not be included in this number). If the technological vote counting equipment is used, this information, after its announcement, shall be entered in line 2 of the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns.

5. Before starting to count votes cast by voters, referendum participants voting members of a precinct election commission shall enter the following data in each page of the list of voters, referendum participants:

а) the number of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants as of the end of voting time (minus the number of voters, referendum participants to whom absentee certificates were issued by the territorial commission and the district commission, and those who were withdrawn for other reasons);

b) the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants at the polling station on voting day (to be established from the number of signatures of voters, referendum participants in the list of voters, referendum participants);

c) the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted outside the polling station on voting day (to be established from the number of relevant notes in the list of voters, referendum participants);

d) the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted early (to be established from the number of relevant notes in the list of voters, referendum participants and verified against the list of voters, referendum participants who voted early);

e) the number of absentee certificates issued by the precinct commission to voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

f) the number of voters, referendum participants who voted on the basis of absentee certificates in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct.

6. After entering the data specified in Clause 5 of this article, each page of the list of voters, referendum participants shall be signed by the member of the commission who entered this data, and the same member shall then sum up the data, announce it, and communicate it to the chairman, deputy chairman, or secretary and to the persons present at the vote counting. The totals that are determined as the sum of the numbers established in accordance with Clause 5 of this article shall be announced, entered in the last page of the list of voters, referendum participants by the chairman, deputy chairman, or secretary of the precinct commission and certified by his signature and the seal of the precinct commission. The announced data shall be entered in the relevant lines of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form, and if the technological vote counting equipment is used, only in the relevant lines of the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns:

a) line 1: the number of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants as of the end of voting time;

b) lines 3 and 4: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted early;

c) line 5: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted at the polling station on voting day;

d) line 6: the number of ballots issued to voters, referendum participants who voted outside the polling station on voting day;

e) line 11a: the number of absentee certificates received by the precinct commission;

f) line 11b: the number of absentee certificates issued by the precinct commission to voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

g) line 11c: the number of voters, referendum participants who voted on the basis of absentee certificates in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

h) line 11d: the number of absentee certificates cancelled in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct;

Data is entered into lines 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form if voting on the basis of absentee certificates is provided for by law.

If a repeat voting is provided for by law, the procedure for counting of absentee certificates shall be established by such law.

After that the list of voters, referendum participants shall be made available for examination to persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law, and non-voting members of a precinct election commission may make sure that the counting was carried out correctly.

7. No further work shall be carried out on the list of voters, referendum participants until the control relationships of the data entered in the protocols of vote returns are checked as provided for by Clause 22 of this article. In the meantime, the list of voters, referendum participants shall be kept in a safe or at a place specially equipped for safekeeping of documents. The chairman or the secretary of a precinct election commission shall make arrangements for the safekeeping of the voters list so as to make it inaccessible to persons present at the polling station.

8. Votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall be counted by voting members of a precinct election commission from ballots in the ballot boxes.

9. Non-voting members of a precinct election commission, observers, other persons listed in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law may be present when votes cast by voters, referendum participants are being counted.

10. Votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall be counted at special places fitted out so as to allow access to them for voting and non-voting members of a commission. Voting members of the commission, with the exception of the chairman (deputy chairman) and the secretary of the commission, shall not use any writing utensils during vote counting, save as otherwise provided for by Clauses 16 and 17 of this article. The actions of members of the commission shall be clearly visible to all persons present at the vote counting

11. When sorting out the ballots a precinct commission shall separate ballots which do not conform to a standard format. Such ballots shall be packed separately and sealed

12. First, ballots shall be counted in the mobile ballot boxes. Before mobile ballot boxes are opened, the integrity of the seals on the boxes shall be checked. Votes shall be counted so as to avoid violating the secrecy of voting. The number of ballots taken out shall be announced and entered into line 8 of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form. If the number of ballots of the established form found in the mobile ballot box is greater than the number of applications of voters, referendum participants containing the note about the number of received ballots, all ballots contained in this mobile ballot box shall be invalidated by the decision of the commission and this fact shall be recorded in a separate certificate which shall be appended to the corresponding protocol of vote returns. This certificate shall indicate the surnames and the initials of the members of the precinct commission who ensured the voting outside the polling station using this mobile ballot box. The number of ballots thus invalidated shall be announced, entered in the said certificate, and then summed up with the number of invalid ballots identified during sorting out of the ballots. On the face of each of these ballots in the boxes located to the right of the data about the candidates who stand for election, lists of candidates, the option "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates"), in the boxes against the options "Yes" and "No", a note shall be made about the reason for invalidating the ballot, that shall be endorsed by signatures of two voting members of the precinct commission and certified by the precinct commission's seal, and when votes are to be counted, such ballots shall be packed separately, sealed and disregarded in vote counting.

13. Stationary ballot boxes shall be opened after the integrity of their seals is verified.

14. Members of a precinct commission shall sort out ballots taken out of mobile and stationary ballot boxes according to the votes cast in favor of each candidate (each list of candidates), and according to the votes cast against all candidates (all lists of candidates), according to the votes cast for options "Yes" and "No" contained in a referendum ballot, putting apart non-standard and invalid ballots. While sorting out the ballots, voting members of the precinct commission shall read out the words written by the voter, referendum participant thereon and show ballots for examination to all persons present at the vote counting. The words written on two and more ballots shall not be read out simultaneously.

15. At an election in a multi-seat electoral district and when a voter has more than one vote, ballots cast for each of the candidates shall not be sorted out. The words written by a voter on each ballot shall be read out and the ballot shall be shown for examination to all persons present at the vote counting. The words written on two and more ballots shall not be read out simultaneously. After it is announced, the data contained in the ballot shall be entered in a special table indicating the surnames of all the candidates included into the ballot, and shall be summed up.

16. If the number of voters, referendum participants who voted early at the premises of a territorial commission, district election commission, municipality election commission, and a precinct commission exceeds one percent of the number of voters, referendum participants included in the list of voters, referendum participants in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct (but is not less than ten voters, referendum participants), the precinct commission, at the request of any member of the commission, any observer shall perform a separate vote counting by ballots the reverse sides of which are marked with a seal of the precinct commission in accordance with Clause 7, Article 65 of this Federal Law. The results of such counting shall be indicated in a certificate that shall be appended to the protocol of vote returns. In these cases, such ballots shall be packed separately and sealed.

17. Invalid ballots shall be counted and summed up separately. Ballots shall be invalid if they do not contain any marks in the boxes to the right of the corresponding registered candidates, names of electoral associations, electoral blocs, the options "Against all candidates," ("Against all federal lists of candidates,") or, in the boxes opposite to the options "Yes" and "No", or if the number of marks made on the ballot exceeds the number of marks established by law. If any doubts arise with regard to the expression of the will of a voter, referendum participant, the ballot shall be put apart in a separate bundle. After the ballots are sorted out, the commission shall decide the question of the validity of each doubtful ballot by voting and a note explaining the reasons why the ballot was pronounced valid or invalid shall be made on the back of the ballot. This note shall be certified by signatures of not less than two voting members of the commission and endorsed with the commission's seal. The ballot pronounced valid or invalid shall be put in the corresponding bundle of ballots. The total number of invalid ballots (including the ballots declared invalid in accordance with Clause 12 of this article and Clause 8, Article 65 of this Federal Law) shall be entered in line 10 of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form.

18. After that the sorted out standard ballots shall be counted separately in each bundle, by each candidate, list of candidates, the options "Against all candidates" ("Against all lists of candidates"), the options "Yes" and "No." Ballots shall be counted by moving them from one part of the bundle to the other part so that the persons present at the vote counting could see the mark made by the voter on each ballot. Ballots from different bundles shall not be counted simultaneously. The information so obtained shall be entered in line 12 and the following lines of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form.

19. Voting members of the precinct commission shall count the number of valid ballots and enter it in line 11 of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form.

20. Voting members of the precinct commission shall count the number of standard ballots contained in the stationary ballot boxes announce and enter it in line 9 of the protocol of vote returns and its enlarged form.

21. After that observers, may examine the sorted out ballots under the supervision of voting members of a precinct election commission, and non-voting members of the commission may make sure that the counting was carried out correctly.

22. After non-voting members of a precinct election commission and observers examine the sorted out ballots the control relationships of the data entered in the protocols of vote returns shall be checked. If these control relationships are not complied with, the precinct election commission shall take a decision to carry out additional vote counting for all or some of the lines of the protocols of vote returns, including additional counting of ballots.

If as a result of such additional counting the control relationships still fail to coincide, the precinct commission shall take a decision to this effect, append it to the protocol of vote returns, and enter the information about the discrepancy in special lines of the protocol of vote returns.

23. After the counting has been completed the ballots shall be packed in separate bundles. The ballots thus bundled shall be packed in bags or boxes, on which the number of the electoral precinct, referendum precinct and the number of ballots shall be marked. The bags or boxes shall be sealed and may be opened only by a decision of the higher election commission or a court. Both voting members and non-voting members of the precinct commission shall be entitled to put their signatures on the said bags or boxes. The packaging shall be performed in the presence of persons specified in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law who shall be entitled to put their signatures on these bags or boxes.

24. If technological equipment is used for vote counting, the following shall be done in the presence of voting members of a precinct commission, observers, other persons specified in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law after the work with the list of voters, referendum participants is completed:

a) if for any reason the voting at the polling station was temporarily conducted without the use of the technological vote counting equipment, the precinct commission shall verify the integrity of the seals on the special compartment of this technological vote counting equipment or on a backup stationary ballot box, open this box, and drop all the ballots contained therein into the technological vote counting equipment so as to avoid violation of the secrecy of voting;

b) the precinct commission shall count the ballots contained in mobile ballot boxes in accordance with the procedure specified in Clause 12 of this article, all the ballots shall be taken out of the mobile ballot boxes to be dropped into the technological vote counting equipment switched to the vote counting mode, the ballots shall be dropped so as to avoid violation of the secrecy of voting;

c) the precinct commission shall enter into the technological vote counting equipment the data obtained at the stage of working with the list of voters, i.e. the data entered in lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11а, 11b, 11c, 11d of the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns ;

d) the precinct commission shall print out the protocol of vote returns from the technological vote counting equipment, announce and enter the respective data in lines 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and the following lines of the enlarged form of the protocol of vote returns;

e) the precinct commission shall check the control relationships of the data entered in the protocol of vote returns. If these control relationships are not complied with, the precinct commission shall make a decision on additional counting with respect to all or some lines of the protocol of vote returns, including a decision on additional manual counting of the ballots. If as a result of such additional counting the control relationships are still not complied with, the precinct commission shall take a decision to this effect, which shall be appended to the protocol of vote returns, and enter the information about the discrepancy into special lines of the protocol of vote returns ;

f) in the circumstances referred to in Clause 16 of this article, the precinct commission shall sort out the ballots by separating the ballots of early voters that were taken out of envelopes that bear the seal of the precinct commission on their back. A separate vote counting by the said ballots shall be performed manually or by means of the technological vote counting equipment. The results of this counting shall be indicated by the precinct commission in a certificate that shall be appended to the protocol of vote returns.

25. A precinct commission shall consider grievances (statements), received on voting day before the end of counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants from persons who were present at vote counting, and take appropriate decisions that shall be appended to the first copy of the precinct commission’s protocol of vote returns. If there are ungrounded grievances (statements) submitted by persons who were present at vote counting, the precinct commission that used the technological vote counting equipment shall be entitled to make a decision to immediately recount the votes without the use of such equipment (about manual counting). If the difference between the two counts is more than one percent (obtained by dividing the greater number by the smaller) but not less than three units in at least one of the following lines: 10, 11, 12 and the subsequent lines of the precinct commission’s protocol of vote returns, the protocol of vote returns shall be compiled on the basis of the results of the manual counting. If no such difference is found, the protocol compiled on the basis of results obtained with the use of the technological vote counting equipment shall be signed, and a certificate confirming the compliance of the recount results with the initial results shall be drawn up and forwarded to the higher commission together with the protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission.

26. After all required actions and counts have been accomplished, a precinct commission shall hold a mandatory final meeting to consider any grievances (statements) about violations during the voting and counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants, after which the precinct commission’s protocol of vote returns shall be signed, copies of which shall be issued to the persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. The protocol of vote returns shall be completed in two original copies and signed by all present voting members of the precinct commission, and shall indicate the date and time (the hour and the minute) when it was signed. The protocol of vote returns compiled on the basis of the results obtained with the use of the technological vote counting equipment shall come into legal force after the said signing. The protocols of vote returns shall not be completed in pencil and no alterations shall be made therein. Signing of such protocol in violation of these rules may constitute a reason for invalidation of such protocol and for a vote recount.

27. If some voting members of a precinct commission are absent when a protocol of vote returns is being prepared, a note to this effect shall be made in the protocol indicating the reason for their absence. The protocol shall be valid if it is signed by the majority of the established number of voting members of the given precinct commission. If, when the protocol of vote returns is being signed, any commission member or any other person put his signature for at least one voting member of the precinct commission this shall constitute a reason for invalidation of such protocol and for a vote recount.

28. When a protocol of vote returns is being signed voting members of a precinct election commission who dissent from the contents of the protocols may attach their dissenting opinion to the protocol and this fact shall be noted in the protocols.

29. At the request of any member of a precinct commission, an observer, other persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law, immediately after signing the protocols of vote returns the precinct commission shall issue a copy of the protocol of vote returns to these persons or allow them to copy the protocol and have this copy certified by the commission. The issuance of such copy shall be recorded by the precinct commission in a special register. The person who receives a copy shall sign for its receipt in the register. The responsibility for completeness and accuracy of the data contained in a copy of the protocol of vote returns shall be borne by the person who certified such copy.

30. The first original copy of the protocol of vote returns of a precinct commission, after it was signed by all present voting members of the precinct commission and their copies were issued to or certified for all persons entitled to receive them, shall be, without delay, forwarded to the higher commission and shall not be returned to the precinct election commission. Attached to the first original copy of the protocol shall be dissenting opinions of voting members of the precinct commission; the grievances (statements) about violations of the law governing the election, the referendum, received by the election commission on voting day and before the end of vote counting; the decisions taken by the precinct election commission in connection with these grievances (statements); certificates drawn up by the precinct commission. The first original copy of the protocol of vote returns with the attached documents shall be delivered to the higher commission by the chairman or the secretary of the precinct election commission or some other voting member of the precinct election commission upon instruction of its chairman. Such delivery of the protocol may be witnessed by other members of the precinct election commission and by observers sent to the given precinct election commission.

31. The second original copy of the protocol of vote returns shall be provided for inspection to observers, other persons specified in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law, and a certified copy thereof shall be displayed to the general public at a place designated by the precinct commission, after which the second original copy of the protocol of vote returns, together with the electoral documentation, referendum documentation required by law, including the ballots and the seal of the precinct commission, shall be submitted to the higher commission for safekeeping.

32. Precinct commissions shall, by the decision of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or on its instruction on the basis of the decision of the relevant election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation at elections, referendums, use technological vote counting equipment instead of stationary ballot boxes, and if several elections of different levels are combined, the use of such technological vote counting equipment for vote counting at all elections of all levels shall be mandatory. A list of electoral precincts, referendum precincts in which technological vote counting equipment is to be used shall be made up by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or, on its instruction, by the relevant election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation.

If a precinct commission uses the technological vote counting equipment, votes shall be counted in accordance with the provisions of Clause 24 of this article. It may be established by law or by a decision of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, if such law does not exist, that at not less than 5 percent of electoral precincts, referendum precincts (but at least three electoral precincts, referendum precincts) to be determined by lot drawing within the territory of operation of one territorial commission the votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall be subject to control recount to be carried out by voting members of precinct commissions (manual vote counting). Such lot drawing shall be performed by the higher commission within half an hour after the end of the voting time, and the results of the lot drawing shall be immediately communicated to each relevant precinct commission. At combined elections, the control vote recount procedure shall be determined by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or by the relevant election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, depending on the level of the election, referendum.

All persons present at a polling station in the electoral precinct, referendum precinct where the technological vote counting equipment was used shall be informed about the possibility of a control (manual) vote recount. Manual vote counting shall be carried out in the presence of observers, other persons listed in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. In electoral precincts, referendum precincts determined by lot drawing, the manual vote counting shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by Clauses 8-11, 13-15, 17-19, 21-23 of this article. As a result of such manual vote counting, either a new protocol of vote returns shall be compiled (if a difference of more than one percent (obtained by dividing the greater number by the smaller one), but not less than three units, is found between the results of the manual vote counting and the results of the counting with the use of the technological vote counting equipment, in relation to even one of the following lines: 10, 11, 12 and the consequent numbers of the protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission, on which a mark "Recount" shall be made and which, together with the initial protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission shall be sent to the higher commission, or a certificate shall be compiled to indicate the fact of no difference between the data obtained as a result of the vote re-count with the initial data, and such certificate shall, together with the protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission, be sent to the higher commission. The chairman of the precinct commission of an electoral precinct, referendum precinct that was determined by lot-drawing for control (manual) vote recount shall, immediately after the results of such control (manual) vote recount are determined, inform the higher commission of the obtained results.

The higher commission that determined by lot-drawing the electoral precincts, referendum precincts subject to the control (manual) vote recount shall, without delay after the information about the results of the control (manual) vote recount is received from the chairmen of precinct commissions of the said electoral precincts, referendum precincts, make a relevant decision and a decision about conducting the control (manual) vote recount in all electoral precincts, referendum precincts where a manual vote count was not conducted and which are located on the relevant territory, if as a result of control (manual) vote recount a new protocol of vote returns was compiled due to a difference, in lines 10, 11, 12 and the consequent lines of the protocol, between the data obtained with the use of the technological vote counting equipment and the data of the manual vote count even at one electoral precinct, referendum precinct determined by the lot-drawing.

Precinct commissions of electoral precincts, referendum precincts at which the technological vote counting equipment was used shall, after the vote returns are determined through the manual vote count and a new protocol of vote returns or certificates stating coincidence of the data is signed in the procedure set forth in Clause 30 of this article, send the protocols to the higher commission.

33. If the technological vote counting equipment is used, data of vote counting shall not be disclosed before the end of voting at the electoral precinct, referendum precinct, save the data on the total number of votes cast.

34. The data of the protocol of vote returns, including the data obtained with the use of the technological vote counting equipment, shall be transmitted to the higher commission through telecommunication lines (with the exception of voice telecommunication lines) of the state automated information system or another telecommunication information system, and the first original copy of the protocol of vote returns and all electoral documentation, referendum documentation, including the ballots, shall, at first opportunity, be submitted to the higher commission either directly or through diplomatic or consular missions of the Russian Federation or in any other way that ensures safekeeping of electoral documentation, referendum documentation and its delivery to the destination. It may be established by the federal law that, with the exception of the first original copy of the protocol of vote returns that must be submitted to the higher commission, all electoral documentation, referendum documentation of electoral precincts, referendum precincts established outside the territory of the Russian Federation, including the ballots, be kept at the premises of diplomatic and consular missions of the Russian Federation with concurrence of their heads.

35. The procedure for using the technological vote counting equipment, telecommunication information systems, the procedure and time of transmission, processing and use of information related to an election, referendum, including the data from protocols of vote returns transmitted in an electronic form over telecommunication channels, shall be regulated by the federal law, and by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation to the extent such procedure is not covered by the federal law.

Article 69. Processing of Vote Returns by Territorial Commissions, District Election Commissions, Election Commissions of Municipalities, Election Commissions of Subjects of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation

1. First original copies of protocol of vote returns of precinct commissions, territorial commissions, district election commissions, municipality election commissions, election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation shall, immediately after they are signed by voting members of the commission and their certified copies and certified copies of the summary tables are issued to persons entitled to receive such copies or have such copies certified, be submitted to the higher commission for summing up of the data contained in the said protocols and consequent transfer of this data to the commission that determines the vote returns for the entire territory in which the election, the referendum was held and that establishes the results of the relevant election, referendum, including the commission organizing this election, referendum.

2. On the basis of the data of the protocol of vote returns, and after a preliminary verification of their correct execution, the higher commission shall determine the vote returns for the relevant territory, district, subject of the Russian Federation, the Russian Federation by summing up the data contained therein.

The receipt of protocols from lower commissions, summing up of the data from these protocols, and compilation of a protocol of vote returns for the relevant territory shall be performed at the same premises, and all actions by the commission related to the receipt of protocols from lower commissions, summing up of the data from these protocols, and compilation of the protocol of vote returns shall be within the fields of vision of the commission’s members and observers, other persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. At the said premises there shall be an enlarged form of the summary table for the relevant territory into which the data from this protocol shall be entered and the time of the entering be indicated, immediately after the arrival of the chairman, secretary or another voting member of a lower commission with the first original copy of the protocol of vote returns.

The chairman, secretary or another voting member of a lower commission shall submit the first original copy of the protocol of vote returns and the documents appended thereto to a voting member of the higher commission who shall check the correctness of the protocol’s execution, the completeness of the appended documents and the matching of the control relationships.

If a protocol and/or summary table of a lower commission were compiled in violation of the requirements established by law for the compilation of a protocol and a summary table, the said commission shall compile a new protocol and/or summary table in accordance with the requirements of Clause 8 of this article, and the initially submitted protocol and/or summary table shall be retained by the higher commission.

If a protocol and/or summary table of a lower commission were compiled in compliance with the requirements established by law for the compilation of a protocol and a summary table, a voting member of the higher commission shall enter the data from this protocol into the summary table of the higher commission. The chairman, secretary or another voting member of a lower commission that submitted the protocol of vote returns to the member of the higher commission shall put his signature in the enlarged form of the summary table under the data of the protocol of vote returns of the relevant commission.

The summing up of the data contained in protocols of vote returns of lower commissions shall be carried out by voting members of the higher commission in person.

3. On the basis of the data of the protocols of lower commissions, the higher commission shall compile a summary table and a protocol of vote returns (on the results of the election, referendum), whereto data shall be entered about the number of lower commissions in the respective territory, in the district, the subject of the Russian Federation, in the Russian Federation, the number of received protocols of lower commissions on the basis of which the said protocol was compiled, and the data summarized by lines of the protocol of vote returns of the precinct commission set forth by Clause 2, Article 67 of this Federal Law. To sign its protocol, the commission shall hold a mandatory final meeting at which any grievances (statements) received by the commission and related to the conduct of voting, vote counting, and execution of lower commissions’ protocols shall be considered. After this, the commission shall sign a protocol of vote returns (of the results of the election, referendum) and issue copies of this protocol to persons referred to in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. The protocol of vote returns (of the results of the election, referendum) shall be compiled in two original copies and signed by all present voting members of the commission, and indicate the date and time (hour, minute) of its signing. Signing of a protocol in violation of this procedure shall constitute grounds for invalidating this protocol.

4. The protocols of vote returns of the commissions referred to in Clause 1 of this article shall be appended with a summary table of vote returns, compiled in two original copies, for the relevant territory, district, subject of the Russian Federation, the Russian Federation, which shall include full data from all protocols of vote returns received by the relevant commission. A voting member of the commission who dissents from a whole protocol or any part thereof may attach his dissenting opinion to the protocol and this fact shall be noted in the protocol.

5. The first original copy of the protocol shall be appended with dissenting opinions of members of the commission that compiled the protocol and any grievances (statements) against violations of this Federal Law, another law received by the commission in the period beginning on voting day and ending on the day of compilation of the relevant protocol of vote returns, as well as decisions taken with regard to such grievances (statements).

6. The second original copy of the protocol of vote returns, together with the second original copy of the summary table of vote returns, lists of non-voting members of the commission that compiled the protocol, observers, other persons referred to in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law who were present at the determination of vote returns and at the preparation of the relevant protocols, as well as the other documents provided for by this Federal Law shall be kept by the secretary of the said commission and stored in a guarded room.

7. The second original copy of the protocol of vote returns together with the second original copy of the summary table of vote returns shall be provided for inspection and copying by members of the commission that compiled the protocol, observers, other persons referred to in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law, and a certified copy of the protocol shall be displayed to the general public.

8. If after the protocol of vote returns and/or summary table of vote returns were signed and their first original copies were sent to the higher commission, the commission that sent the protocol and the summary table, or a higher commission discover, in the course of a preliminary inspection finds an inaccuracy (including a slip of the pen, misprint, error in the summation of the data of protocols of territorial election commissions), the commission that sent the protocol and the summary table shall be entitled to consider, at its meeting, the question of making corrections in the protocol and/or the summary table. The commission’s decision shall be made known to its non-voting members, observers and other persons who were present at the preparation of the previously approved protocol, and members of the press. In such case, the commission shall compile a protocol of vote returns marked with the word "Repeat." The said protocol shall be promptly sent to the higher commission. The violation of the above procedure of preparation of a repeat protocol shall constitute grounds for invalidating this protocol.

9. If any mistakes, discrepancies are discovered in protocols of vote returns and/or summary tables of vote returns, if any doubts arise about the correctness of the compilation of the protocols and/or summary tables received from a lower commission, the higher commission shall be entitled, not later than one day before the expiration of the period for determining the results of the election, referendum established by law, to take a decision to conduct a recount the votes cast by voters, referendum participants by the lower commission or a recount of the votes cast by voters, referendum participants by this higher commission itself for the relevant electoral precinct, referendum precinct, the relevant territory. A recount of votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall be conducted in the presence of voting member (members) of the higher commission by the commission that compiled and approved the protocol that is subject to the verification or the commission that made the decision to recount the votes cast by voters, referendum participants, and non-voting members of the relevant commission, observers, candidates, other persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law who are entitled to attend a recount of votes cast by voters, referendum participants shall receive mandatory notification of such recount. On the basis of the results of the recount of votes cast by voters, referendum participants, the commission that conducted such recount shall compile a protocol of vote returns marked with the words "Vote recount." Its certified copies shall be issued (copies certified) to observers, other persons indicated in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law. The protocol shall be sent to the higher commission forthwith.

Article 70. Procedure for Determination of the Results of Elections, Referendums

1. On the basis of the first original copies of the protocol of vote returns received from lower commissions, a commission duly authorized by law shall establish the results of the election, referendum. Voting members of such commission shall establish the results of the election, referendum in person. The results of the election, referendum shall be indicated in a protocol and a summary table that shall be compiled in two original copies each and signed by all present voting members of this commission.

2. An election shall be declared by the relevant election commission not to have taken place if:

a) less than 20 percent of voters included in the voters lists took part in the election. It may be established by law that the said minimal percentage for elections of federal bodies of state power, bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation be increased. The law of a subject of the Russian Federation may provide that there shall be no minimal percentage of voters required for declaring an election of deputies of representative bodies of local self-government to have taken place;

b) in a single-seat or single electoral district the number of votes cast for a candidate who gained the largest number of votes as compared with the other candidate (candidates) is less than the number of votes cast against all candidates;

c) less than two lists of candidates, in voting for lists of candidates, received in accordance with law the right to be included in the distribution of deputy seats;

d) in the voting for lists of candidates the lists of candidates who received in accordance with the law the right to be included in the distribution of deputy seats, gained together 50 percent or less than 50 percent of the votes cast;

e) all candidates were removed as a result of a repeat voting;

f) in the case referred to in the third paragraph, Clause 1, Article 71 of this Federal Law.

No any additional grounds for declaring an election not to have taken place shall be established by law.

3. Sub-clause a), Clause 2 of this article shall not apply when a repeat voting is conducted with regard to candidates who received the largest number of votes.

4. A law, save the case stated in Clause 5 of this article and Clause 1, Article 71 of this Federal Law, shall not contain any provisions that allow a possibility to declare a candidate who gained the largest number of votes as not elected if the election was declared to have taken place.

5. At elections in multi-seat electoral districts in which a voter has the number of votes that is not less than the number of seats in the electoral district, a candidate shall be considered not elected if the number of votes cast for the candidate is less than the number of votes cast against all candidates. At elections in multi-seat electoral districts in which a voter has less votes than the number of seats in the electoral district, a candidate shall be considered not elected if the number of votes cast for the candidate is less than the calculated for this electoral district number of votes cast against all candidates. The said calculated number of votes cast against all candidates shall be determined as the quotient of dividing the aggregate number of votes cast against all candidates by the quotient of dividing the number of seats in the multi-seat electoral district by the number of votes that a voter of this electoral district has. If after tabulating the vote returns in multi-seat electoral districts not all seats are taken, a repeat election shall be called with regard to the vacant seats.

6. The relevant election commission shall cancel its decision on declaring elected a candidate who received the number of votes required to be elected or who is declared elected as a result of voting for a list of candidates, if he fails to provide to the relevant election commission, within seven days from the day of the official publication of the general results of the election, a copy of the order (instruction) relieving him from the duties incompatible with the status of a deputy, elective official, or copies of documents certifying that, within three days, he filed an application to be relived from such duties.

7. It may be provided for by law that, if a candidate without compelling circumstances did not resign any powers that are incompatible with the status of a deputy, elective official, as a result of which a repeat election was called, this deputy must reimburse, in full or in part, the relevant election commission for its costs related to the conduct of the repeat election. Such law shall also contain a list of circumstances under which such reimbursement shall not be made.

8. A referendum shall be declared not to have taken place by the relevant referendum commission if not more than half of the referendum participants included in referendum participant lists took part in it on the territory where the referendum is conducted. The relevant referendum commission shall declare that a decision has not been adopted at a referendum if not more than half of the referendum participants who took part in voting at the referendum voted for this decision. No other grounds for declaring a referendum not to have taken place shall be established by the law of a subject of the Russian Federation.

9. The relevant commission shall declare vote returns, results of an election, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum null and void:

a) if violations committed when voting was conducted or vote returns were determined do not make it possible to determine reliably the results of the expression of the will of the voters, referendum participants;

b) if they were declared null and void in some electoral precincts, referendum precincts where at the time of the end of voting the lists of voters, referendum participants aggregately contain not less than one fourth of the total number of voters, referendum participants included in the lists of voters, referendum participants at the time of the end of voting in the relevant electoral district, referendum district;

c) in accordance with a court decision.

10. Documentation of commissions of all levels, including signature sheets with signatures of voters, referendum participants, ballots, absentee certificates and lists of voters, referendum participants shall be stored for the periods established by law. Such periods established for safekeeping of signature sheets with signatures of voters, referendum participants, ballots, absentee certificates and lists of voters, referendum participants shall not be shorter than one year from the day of the publication of vote returns and the results of an election, referendum. Established periods for safekeeping of protocols of vote returns and summary tables of vote returns of election commissions shall not be shorter than one year from the day on which the next election of the same level is announced, and those of referendum commissions, shorter than five years from the day of publication of the vote returns. If any appeals against a commission’s decision on vote returns, the results of an election, a referendum are considered by a court, or any criminal action is initiated in relation to violation of electoral rights, the right to participate in a referendum enjoyed by citizens of the Russian Federation, the periods for safekeeping of the relevant electoral documentation, referendum documentation shall be extended until the court decision becomes effective (the case is dropped in accordance with the law). The responsibility for safekeeping of electoral documentation, referendum documentation shall be vested on the chairman (deputy chairman) and the secretary of the relevant commission until the documents are submitted to the higher commission or transferred to an archive.

11. The procedure for safekeeping, transfer to an archive, and destruction of electoral documentation, referendum documentation shall be approved by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation with the concurrence of the relevant state archive authorities.

Article 71. Repeat Voting and Repeat Elections. By-Elections

1. It may be established by law that if more than two candidates were included in the ballot and none of them received the number of votes required to be elected, the election commission organizing the election shall call a repeat voting of two or more candidates who received the largest number of votes. The organization and conduct of a repeat voting, including the order in which information about the candidates on whom repeat voting is to be conducted is arranged on the ballot shall be carried in accordance with law.

At an election of the top executive of a subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation) the registered candidate who received more than 50 percent of the votes cast shall be considered elected. If the ballot contained more than two registered candidates and none of them was elected top executive of a subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the highest executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation), a repeat voting on two registered candidates who received the largest number of votes shall be called.

If a repeat voting is provided for by law, and the ballot of the main election contained two candidates and neither of them has received the number of votes required to be elected, the relevant election commission shall declare the election not to have taken place.

2. The candidate who received in the repeat voting the greater number of votes shall be considered elected in the repeat voting, provided that the number of votes received by the candidate who received the greater number is greater than the number of votes cast against all candidates.

3. If a candidate on whom the repeat voting is to be conducted has withdrawn his candidature or otherwise has ceased to be a candidate before voting day, on the basis of a decision taken by the election commission that determines the results of the election his place shall be passed on to the next, by the number of received votes, candidate who previously took part in the said election. If all other candidates have ceased to be candidates, the repeat voting shall be conducted on the one remaining candidate. In this case, the candidate shall be considered elected if he received at least 50 percent of the votes cast.

4. If all candidates cease to be candidates, a repeat election shall be held within a period not exceeding six months. In this case, the periods of electoral actions may be reduced but not more than by one third.

5. If an election was declared not to have taken place, null and void or if a candidate elected in a single-seat or multi-seat electoral district failed to resign his duties incompatible with the status of a deputy, an elective official, a repeat election shall be called in the procedure and within the period established by law. If the composition of the relevant legislative (representative) body of state power, representative body of local self-government is such that it is not competent to exercise its powers, a repeat election of deputies, elective officials shall be held not later than four months after the day on which the election was declared not to have taken place, null and void. In other cases, a repeat election shall be held not later than one year from the day on which the election was declared not to have taken place, null and void. At a repeat election, the periods of electoral actions may, by a decision of the relevant election commission, be reduced by one third. The decision to call a repeat election shall be officially published not later than three days after the day when it was taken.

6. In the case referred to in Clause 5, Article 70 of this Federal Law, the election commission organizing the election shall, in the procedure established by law, call a repeat election in the electoral district.

7. If a repeat election is called, the election commission organizing the election shall issue orders to either extend the term of powers of the precinct election commissions or form precinct election commissions with new members.

8. If powers of a deputy elected in a single-seat electoral district are terminated earlier, a by-election shall be called in the electoral district. The voting at a by-election shall be held not later than one year after the day of early termination of powers of such deputy.

9. If powers of a deputy elected in a multi-seat electoral district are terminated earlier, a by-election shall be called and conducted in the procedure specified in Clause 8 of this article, if less than two thirds of deputy seats in the district are occupied. Other reasons for holding a by-election in a multi-seat electoral district to replace a deputy whose powers have been terminated may be established by law.

10. A repeat and/or by-election shall be called or conducted if, as a result of this election, a deputy cannot be elected for a term exceeding one year.

11. It may be established by law that if a repeat election conducted within the time limits established by law was declared not to have taken place on the grounds stated in sub-Clause a) or b), Clause 2, Article 70 of this Federal Law, the next repeat election may be postponed for a period not exceeding two years.

12. If powers of more than one deputies are terminated in a period when by-elections shall not be held in accordance with Clause 10 of this article, and if the composition of the legislative (representative) body of state power, body of local self-government is such that it is not competent to exercise its powers, a new regular election shall be held.

13. No procedure may be established by law providing for that, if a decision to register a deputy elected in a single-seat or multi-seat electoral district, an elective official is cancelled, or if powers of such deputy or elective official are terminated before the expiration of his term, the election commission shall take a decision to register the candidate who received the next greatest number of votes as such deputy, elective official.

Article 72. Publication of Vote Returns and Results of Election, Referendum

1. The vote returns for each electoral district, referendum district, the territory within the area of responsibility of the commission, referendum results within the scope of the data contained in its protocol of vote returns and protocol of vote returns of the commissions of the next lower level shall be made available by the commission for inspection to voters, referendum participants, candidates, authorized persons of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group, observers, foreign (international) observers, members of the press at their request.

2. Election commissions that registered candidates (lists of candidates), referendum commissions that determine referendum results shall send the general data on the election results, referendum results to mass media within one day after the election results, referendum results are determined.

3. The general results of an election, a referendum, and information about the number of votes received by each candidate (list of candidates), votes cast against all candidates (lists of candidates), votes of referendum participants cast for the options "Yes" and "No" shall be officially published by the relevant commission in the procedure and at the time provided for by law but not later than one month after voting day.

4. Commissions of all levels, with the exception of precinct commissions, shall publish (make public) the data contained in the protocols of vote returns and protocols of the results of an election, a referendum of commissions of the relevant levels and the data contained in the protocols of vote returns and protocols of the results of an election, a referendum of commissions of the next lower level on the basis of which the vote returns, the results of the election, the referendum were determined by the relevant commissions. The publication of the data listed above and contained in the protocols of election commissions that operated within the territory of the electoral district may be assigned by law to the relevant district election commission or to the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation. The complete data on the results of an election of federal bodies of state power, a referendum of the Russian Federation shall be officially published within three months after voting day. The complete data on the results of an election of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum shall be officially published within two months after voting day. Within three months after the day of the official publication of the complete data on the results of an election of bodies of state power, a referendum of the Russian Federation, a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, the data contained in the protocols of vote returns of all commissions and in protocols of election results, referendum results of all commissions shall be displayed in the public information/telecommunication network "Internet."

Article 73. Legal Effect of Decision Adopted at Referendum

1. A decision adopted at a referendum shall be binding and shall not need any additional approval.

2. A decision adopted at a referendum of the Russian Federation shall have effect in the entire territory of the Russian Federation.

3. A decision adopted at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation shall have effect on the territory of this subject of the Russian Federation.

4. A decision adopted at a local referendum shall have effect on the territory of the relevant municipality.

5. A decision adopted at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum shall be registered, respectively, with the body of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, the body of local self-government in the procedure established for registration of regulatory legal acts of the respective level.

6. A decision adopted at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum may be cancelled or changed by adopting a different decision at a referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum, respectively, but not earlier than two years after the initial decision was adopted, or if the initial decision was declared null and void (having no effect) by a court. If a regulatory act was adopted at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum, such act may be modified in the procedure established by the said act. If such procedure is not established, modifications may be also introduced in the procedure provided for the introduction of modifications to a relevant regulatory act, but not earlier than five years after the relevant decision was adopted at the referendum.

7. A decision made at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum may be cancelled by a court on the following grounds:

the procedure for conducting a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum established by this Federal Law, the law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality has been violated, that made it impossible to establish the real will of referendum participants;

the law of a subject of the Russian Federation on the basis of which the referendum of the subject of the Russian Federation was conducted failed to comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the federal law effective at the time when the referendum was conducted, the law of a subject of the Russian Federation, the charter of a municipality on the basis of which the local referendum was conducted failed to comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the federal law, the law of a subject of the Russian Federation effective at the time when the referendum was conducted, that made it impossible to establish the real will of referendum participants;

the decision made at a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum fails to comply with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the federal law, and for a local referendum with the law of the subject of the Russian Federation.

8. If the results of a referendum have been declared null and void, the commission organizing voting at a referendum shall call a repeat voting.

9. If to implement the decision made at a referendum an additional law, regulatory act is required, the federal body of state power, the body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, the body of local self-government within the competence of which such issue falls, shall determine the time term for the preparation and/or adoption of this law, regulatory act within 15 days from the day when the decision adopted at the referendum came into effect. The said time term shall not exceed one year.

10. If after conducting a referendum of a subject of the Russian Federation on a question that falls within joint competence of the Russian Federation and the subject of the Russian Federation, the federal law that governs this issue has become effective, the decision made at the referendum and not complying with this Federal Law shall not be applicable.

Article 74. Use of State Automated Information System at Election, Referendum

1. In the course of preparation and conduct of an election, referendum, and in order to exercise other powers of commissions in support of the electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum, use shall be made only of the state automated information system in the procedure established by this Federal Law, other federal laws. The requirements to the state automated information system and to its operation and upgrading shall be established by the federal law, and to the extent such requirements are not covered by the federal law - by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation.

2. The staff composition of each election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation shall include, as its structural element, the information center of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, the functions of which shall include technical and information support of the activities of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, automation of information processes implemented in the course of preparation and conduct of elections, referendums on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, operation and upgrading of that part of the state automated information system operating on the territory of this subject of the Russian Federation. Employees of the said information center shall arrange and perform work related to the operation and upgrading of the state automated information system within the entire territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, including territorial commissions.

3. When at an election, referendum of the relevant level the state automated information system (individual components thereof) is used in accordance with the law for, among other things, registration of voters, referendum participants, preparation of lists of voters, referendum participants, counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants, determination of vote returns and results of the election, referendum, the relevant commission shall established a group consisting of voting and non-voting members to exercise control over the use of the state automated information system (individual components thereof). All members of the commission, observers shall be entitled to get any information contained in the state automated information system for examination.

4. From the commencement of voting and till the time when the protocol of vote returns (the protocol of results of the election, the referendum) is signed by the relevant commission, the state automated information system shall be used to watch the progress of voting and detrermination of the vote returns through transmitting the data from lower commissions to higher commissions, and individual technical components of the system shall be used to count votes cast by voters, referendum participants. The data on the progress of voting and determination of vote returns that is obtained through the state automated information system (individual components thereof) shall be regarded as preliminary and legally ineffective information unless otherwise provided by this Federal Law, another law.

5. When the state automated information system (individual components thereof) is used at an election, a referendum, the data about participation of voters, referendum participants in the election, referendum, about interim and final vote returns shall be accessible in real time (in the read-only mode) to users of the public information/telecommunication network "Internet." The procedure and the time of the provision of such data shall not conflict with the requirements of the legislation governing elections and referendums.

Chapter X. Actions in Response to Violations of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum and the Responsibility for Violation of the Legislation Governing Elections and Referendums

Article 75. Appealing against decisions and actions (omissions) that violate electoral rights and the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum

1. Appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of bodies of state power, of bodies of local self-government, public associations and officials, as well as against decisions and actions (omissions) of commissions and their officials that violate electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum may be submitted to a court.

2. Appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be submitted to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of the election commissions of subjects of the Russian Federation, district election commissions at elections of federal bodies of state power, district election commissions at elections of legislative (representative) bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation shall be submitted to the supreme courts of the republics, regional courts, courts of cities of federal significance, courts of autonomous regions and districts, appeals against actions or omissions of the other commissions shall be submitted to district courts.

3. Court decisions shall be binding on the relevant commissions.

4. Appeals against decisions of commissions about vote returns, results of an election, referendum shall be submitted to courts of the relevant level in accordance with the jurisdictions set forth in Clause 2 of this article. A court of the appropriate level shall consider on the substance not only the actions (omissions) of the election commission organizing the election, the relevant referendum commission, but also the actions (omissions) of all lower commissions that participated in the organization and conduct of the election, referendum in accordance with the law, if violations committed by such commissions could affect the results of the election, referendum.

5. In the circumstances established by this Federal Law, another law, a court may annul the decision of a relevant commission on vote returns, results of an election, referendum or another decision of the commission.

6. Appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) of commissions and their officials that violated electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum may be submitted to the commission of the next higher level which shall, without forwarding the appeal to the lower commission, with the exception of the case when the circumstances stated in the appeal were not considered by the lower commission, consider the appeal and make one of the following decisions:

а) leave the appeal without remedy;

b) cancel the disputed decision in full or in part (declare an action (omission) illegal) and make a decision on the substance;

c) cancel the disputed decision in full or in part (declare an action (omission) illegal) and demand the lower commission to reconsider the issue and make a decision on the substance (perform a certain action).

7. Appeals against decisions or actions (omissions) of the municipality election commission or an official thereof that violate electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum may be submitted to the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, and appeals against decisions or actions (omissions) of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation or an official thereof that violate electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum shall be submitted to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. The election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall take a decision in accordance with Clause 6 of this article.

8. A prior application to a higher commission, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall not be a prerequisite for submitting an appeal in court.

9. If an appeal is accepted for consideration by a court, and the same person applies to the relevant commission with a similar appeal, this commission shall suspend consideration of the appeal until the court decision becomes effective. The court shall notify the commission that such appeal is received and accepted for consideration. If the court makes a decision on the substance of the appeal, the commission shall terminate the consideration of the appeal.

10. Appeals against decisions and actions (omissions) that violate electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum may be submitted by voters, referendum participants, candidates, their agents, electoral associations, electoral blocs and their agents, other public associations, a referendum initiative group, observers, and commissions. If violations referred to in such appeal (appeals) affect a significant number of citizens or became due to other circumstances of a particular public significance, the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall be entitled to apply to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation which shall consider the appeal on the substance.

11. Courts and bodies of prosecution shall organize their work (including on days-off) so as to ensure timely consideration of appeals and grievances.

12. When grievances (appeals) are considered, and in other cases when an issue of violation of electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum is considered, the concerned parties (the authors of the grievances (appeals), persons whose actions (omissions) are considered) shall be invited to the meeting of the commission.

Article 76. Grounds for Annulment, Cancellation of Registration of Candidates, List of Candidates, Cancellation of Registration of Referendum Initiative Group

1. The decision of an election commission to register a candidate shall be annulled by the higher commission if the requirement of Clause 19, Article 38 of this Federal Law is not complied with. In this case, all decisions to register a candidate shall be annulled with the exception of the first one.

2. Registration of a candidate (list of candidates) shall be annulled by a decision of the election commission which registered the candidate (list of candidates) on the basis of a statement of the candidate that he withdraws his candidature, decision of an electoral association, electoral bloc to recall a candidate (list of candidates), to be submitted to this election commission in accordance with Clause 27 or 28, Article 38 of this Federal Law.

3. Registration of a candidate shall be annulled by the election commission that registered the candidate if the candidates is disfranchised of a passive electoral right.

4. Registration of a list of candidates shall be annulled if the number of candidates, who were removed from the list of candidates on the basis of the statements of candidates about withdrawal of their candidatures, by a decision of an electoral association, electoral bloc to remove candidates from the list of candidates (save the cases where candidates were removed owing to compelling circumstances) and by a decision of an election commission to remove candidates from the list of candidates on the grounds indicated in Clause 23, Article 38 of this Federal Law, exceeds 25 percent of the number of candidates in a certified list of candidates.

5. Registration of a candidate (list of candidates) may be cancelled by a court on the basis of an application of an election commission which registered the candidate (list of candidates), on the basis of an application of a candidate registered in the same electoral district, application of an electoral association, electoral bloc a list of which was registered in the same electoral district in the following cases:

a) new circumstances have come to light, which constitute a ground for refusal of registration in accordance with Clause 23, Article 38 of this Federal Law;

b) in order to achieve a definite result at the election, a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, their authorized representatives have used financial resources other than those of their own electoral fund in an amount exceeding by more than 5 percent the maximum limit of all expenditures from an electoral fund established by law or in the event of exceeding by more than 5 percent of the maximum limit of all expenditures from an electoral fund established by law;

c) a candidate, leader of an electoral association, electoral bloc have taken advantage of their office or official position ;

d) it has been established that voters were bribed by candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, their authorized representatives or agents or by some other persons or organizations acting on the instructions of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, their agents or authorized representatives;

e) a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc has violated the requirements of Clause 1, Article 56 of this Federal Law;

f) it has been established that a candidate concealed the information about his conviction or foreign citizenship (if such fact has been established in respect of a candidate on a list of candidates it may constitute a reason only for removal of this candidate from the list of candidates);

6. Registration of a referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group may be cancelled by a court on the basis of an application of a commission organizing the referendum not later than three days before voting day in the following cases:

a) the rules for advancing of a referendum initiative were violated;

b) members and/or authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group violated the rules of referendum campaigning or the rules of funding a referendum campaign;

c) members and/or authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group have taken advantage of their office or official position;

d) it has been established that referendum participants were bribed by members and/or authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group;

e) there are other grounds established by this Federal Law, other law.

Article 77. Annulment of Decision on Vote Returns, Election Results, Referendum Results

1. In the event any violations of this Federal Law, another law governing the conduct of the relevant election, referendum have been committed when voting was conducted or vote returns were determined, the higher commission, before it determines the vote returns, election results, referendum results, may annul the decision of a lower commission on the vote returns, election results, referendum results and order a vote recount or, if the violations do not make it possible to determine reliably the results of the expression of the will of voters, referendum participants, declare the vote returns, election results, referendum results null and void.

2. A court may annul the decision of an election commission on the results of the relevant election after these results were established, on the basis of the following facts as established by the court:

a) the sums, expended by a candidate declared elected, an electoral association, electoral bloc whose lists of candidates were included in the distribution of deputy seats, on their election campaign from sources other than their electoral funds exceeded, respectively, 10 percent of the maximum limit of all expenditures from an electoral fund of a candidate or 10 percent of the maximum limit of all expenditures from an electoral fund of an electoral association, electoral bloc established by law;

b) a candidate declared elected, an electoral association, electoral bloc whose federal lists of candidates were included in the distribution of deputy seats bribed voters and this infraction does not make it possible to establish the real will of voters;

c) in the course of election campaigning a candidate declared elected, an electoral association, electoral bloc whose lists of candidates were included in the distribution of deputy seats failed to comply with the requirements of Clause 1, Article 56 of this Federal Law and this infraction does not make it possible to establish the real will of voters;

d) a candidate declared elected, a leader of an electoral association, electoral bloc whose lists of candidates were included in the distribution of deputy seats took advantage of their office or official position and this infraction does not make it possible to establish the real will of voters.

3. A court of an appropriate level may also annul a decision of an election commission on the vote returns and election results in an electoral precinct, territory, electoral district, a municipality, in a subject of the Russian Federation, in the whole of the Russian Federation if infractions were committed in respect of the rules for the preparation of voters lists, procedures for the formation of election commissions, voting and vote counting procedures (including interference with their monitoring), establishment of election results, if a candidate, federal list of candidates were unlawfully refused registration and this fact was admitted after voting day, and in the event of other violations of electoral laws, provided such infractions and violations do not make it possible to establish the real will of the voters.

4. A court of an appropriate level may annul a decision of the referendum commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, a local referendum commission on the vote returns and the referendum results if infractions were committed in respect of the rules for the preparation of referendum participant lists, procedures for the formation of referendum commissions, rules of campaigning and funding a referendum campaign, if members and authorized representatives of the referendum initiative group, leaders of public associations took advantage of their official position in order to obtain a desired answer to the question put for the referendum, if facts of bribing referendum participants by these persons and public association for the same purpose have been established, if infractions were committed in respect of voting and vote counting procedures (including interference with their monitoring), and in the event of other violations of referendum laws and regulations, provided such infractions and violations do not make it possible to establish the real will of the referendum participants.

5. A decision on vote returns, election results shall not be annulled because of violations of this Federal Law which were conducive to the election of, or which aimed at encouraging or encouraged voters to vote for, candidates who have not been elected according to the vote returns or for lists of candidates which have not been included in the distribution of deputy seats.

6. Annulment of a decision on election results by an election commission or a court in the cases where infractions committed do not make it possible to determine reliably the voters' will shall cause the election results in this electoral district to be declared null and void.

7. At an election in a multi-seat electoral district, violations referred to in Clause 2 of this article if committed by individual candidates may cause the annulment of the decision on the results of the election only in relation to these candidates.

8. When voting were conducted on lists of candidates, violations committed by individual electoral associations, electoral blocs referred to in Clause 2 of this article may cause that the decision to include these electoral associations, electoral blocs in distribution of deputy seats and to re-distribute deputy seats be annulled.

9. Annulment of a decision on the results of a referendum by a court, in the cases when infractions committed do not make it possible to determine reliably the referendum participants’ will shall cause the referendum results be declared null and void.

10. If vote returns in some electoral precinct, referendum precinct are declared null and void and this results in the reversal of a decision to declare a candidate elected or in a redistribution of deputy seats, changes in the decision on the referendum results, all higher commissions shall prepare new protocols. In the other cases alterations shall be made in the previously prepared protocols.

Article 78. Time of Submission and Consideration of Grievances and Statements

1. A court of the appropriate level shall not deny acceptance of a grievance against a violation of electoral rights, the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to participate in a referendum.

2. An appeal against a decision of a commission about registration, refusal to register a candidate (list of candidates), a referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group may be submitted within ten days after the decision that is appealed against was made. This period shall not be restored (extended).

3. After the publication of the results of an election, a referendum, a grievance against a violation of the electoral rights of citizens and the right of citizens to participate in a referendum that occurred in the period of the election campaign, a referendum campaign may be submitted to a court within one year after the day of publication of the results of the relevant election, referendum.

4. A decision on grievances received in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign shall be adopted within five days but not later than the day preceding voting day, and immediately if received on voting day or the day following voting day. If the facts stated in the grievances require additional verification, decisions on them shall be taken within ten days. A court shall make a decision with regard to an appeal against a commission’s decision on vote returns, the results of an election, referendum within two months after the day on which the appeal was submitted.

5. An application for annulment of registration of a candidate, a list of candidates may be submitted to a court not later than eight days before voting day (including repeat voting day). The court shall take a decision not later than five days before voting day.

Article 79. Responsibility for the Violation of Russian Federation Laws on Elections, Referendums

1. Persons who falsify vote returns shall bear criminal responsibility in accordance with the federal laws.

In this Federal Law the falsification of vote returns shall be construed as follows:

adding unregistered ballots to the ballots used in voting;

knowingly incorrect preparation of lists of voters, referendum participants, entering persons who are not entitled to an active electoral right, right to participate in a referendum, or fictitious persons into such lists;

substitution of valid ballots;

unlawful destruction of official ballots;

knowingly incorrect counting of votes cast by voters, referendum participants;

signing, by commission members, of a protocol of vote returns before the votes have been counted or the vote returns have been determined, knowingly incorrect (deviant from the actual vote returns) preparation of a protocol of vote returns ;

introduction of changes to a protocol of vote returns after its completion (save the case referred to in Clause 10, Article 77 of this Federal Law).

2. Persons who by violence, deception, threat, forgery or otherwise prevent a citizen of the Russian Federation from free exercise of his right to elect and be elected, to participate in a referendum,

or violating the procedure established by this Federal Law for provision of information about voters, referendum participants or lists of voters, referendum participants,

or taking advantage of their office or official position in the period of an election campaign, a referendum campaign,

or violating the rules of funding an election campaign, a referendum campaign, including persons who remit funds to commissions, candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, referendum initiative groups, other referendum participant groups in an untimely manner,

or officials of bodies of state power who failed to verify, at the request of commissions, information about violations of this Federal Law, another law, or failed to take measures aimed at restraining such violations,

or officials conducting an election campaign, referendum campaign in violation of the rules established by this Federal Law,

or persons rendering financial (material) support to candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, to the activities of a referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group from sources other than their electoral funds, referendum funds;

or compelling citizens to put their signatures in support of a candidate, an electoral association, electoral bloc, a referendum initiative, or obstructing them in their doing so, as well as persons involved in forging such signatures;

or producing illegal pressruns of ballots,

or unlawfully interfering with the operation of the state automated information system;

or bribing voters, referendum participants, i.e. performing actions prohibited by Clause 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law;

or denying a leave for participation in an election, a referendum provided for by law,

or officials who organize signature collection and/or an election campaign, a referendum campaign, other activities conducive to nomination and/or election of candidates, advancement and/or support of a referendum initiative, obtaining this or that answer to the question of a referendum by their subordinate state or municipal employees in their official hours or when they travel on missions,

or officials who failed to create conditions for conducting mass rallies, provided that such duty is assigned to them by law,

or persons who obstruct the operation of commission or activities of commission members that are related to the exercise of their responsibilities, or illegally interfering in such operation or activities, including persons compelling others to refuse to be appointed member of a commission,

or compelling voters, referendum participants to vote against their own choice,

or voters, referendum participants who knowingly stated untrue reason for receiving a ballot in their applications for early voting,

or persons who violated the right of citizens to examine the list of voters, referendum participants, as well as persons who failed to consider, within the legal period, statements about an inaccuracy in a list of voters, referendum participants,

or who concealed a remaining part of a pressrun of produced ballots,

or obstructing the monitoring and supervision exercised by persons referred to in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law,

or refusing to provide, in the procedure established by this Federal Law, either voting members or non-voting members of a commission with copies of the commission’s documents directly related to the election, referendum,

or violating the secrecy of voting,

or who issued ballots to citizens in order to provide to them an opportunity to vote for other persons or cast more than one vote in the same voting,

or who gave (issued) pre-marked ballots to citizens,

or interfering with voting in electoral precincts, referendum precincts,

or violating the procedure of early voting,

or violating the procedure of voting outside the polling station,

or compelling commission members to falsify vote returns,

or preventing non-voting members of a commission from being among voting members of the commission near the places where ballots are being sorted out and votes cast by voters, referendum participants are being counted,

or preventing either voting members or non-voting members of the commission from exercising their right to make sure on the basis of the lists of voters, referendum participants that the number of persons who participated in voting is counted correctly and the ballots were correctly sorted out according to candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, options for answering the question of the referendum,

or violating the procedure of counting votes cast by voters, referendum participants established by this Federal Law, including the ballot sorting out procedure, or the procedure for determining the vote returns,

or who committed falsification of electoral documents, referendum documents, who knowingly compiled and issued false documents,

or not issuing a copy of the protocol of vote returns to persons specified in Clause 3, Article 30 of this Federal Law,

or refusing to hold the final meeting of a commission on the vote returns at an election, a referendum,

or who failed to provide (provided incompletely) or failed to publish information about vote returns in defiance of the duties assigned to them,

or failing to provide or publish reports on expenditure of funds for the preparation and conduct of an election, a referendum, and reports on expenditure of budgetary funds for an election, a referendum,

or who provided incomplete or inaccurate financial reports of candidates, electoral associations, electoral blocs, a referendum initiative group,

or knowingly disseminating false information about candidates or committing other actions defaming the honor and dignity of candidates,

or violating the rules of election campaigning, referendum campaigning, including persons conducting campaigning on the day preceding voting day, and on voting day, and persons conducting campaigning in spite of being prohibited from doing so by law,

or violating the rules of publication (making public) of the results of public opinion polls related to an election, a referendum,

or violating the rules of production and displaying of propaganda materials,

or mass media organizations participating in election campaigning, referendum campaigning, who failed to publish information about the size and the other terms and conditions of payment for their air time, space in print media,

or not complying with the requirements to the conduct of election campaigning, referendum campaigning:

in terms of the payment size and procedure,

in terms of the amount and timing of the provided air time or the amount and location of the space in print media,

or giving preference in information bulletins containing reports of election campaigning events, events related to a referendum to a certain candidate, electoral association, electoral bloc, the referendum initiative group, another referendum participant group,

or accepting illegal payment for transmission or publication of an information block, -

shall bear criminal, administrative or other responsibility in accordance with the federal laws.

3. The failure to perform or improper performance of decisions adopted at a referendum, shall entail responsibility in accordance with the federal laws.

Chapter XI. Concluding and Transitional Provisions

Article 80. Entry into Force of this Federal Law

1. This Federal Law shall enter into force nine days after its official publication and shall not apply to legal relations that arose in relation to the conduct of elections and referendums called before it entered into force.

2. It shall be established that Federal Law No. 124-FZ of September 19, 1997 "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum" (Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation, 1997, No. 38, art. 4339; 1999, No. 14, art. 165; 2001, No. 29, art. 2944) shall apply only to legal relations that emerged in relation to conduct of elections and referendums called before this Federal Law entered into force. It shall be established that Federal Law No. 124-FZ of September 19, 1997 "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum" shall cease to be in force in the procedure specified in Clause 3 of this article.

3. Upon expiration of six months from the day when this Federal Law enters into force, the following shall cease to be in force:

Federal Law No. 124-FZ of September 19, 1997 "On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum" (Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation, 1997, No. 38, art. 4339);

Federal Law No. 55-FZ of March 30, 1999 "On Introduction of Amendments and Additions in the federal law 'On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum'" (Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation, 1999, No. 14, art. 1653);

Article 1 of the Federal Law No. 89-FZ of July 10, 2001 "On Introduction of Amendments and Additions in the federal laws 'On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum' and 'On the Election of Deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation'" (Collection of Laws of the Russian Federation, 2001, No. 29, art. 2944);

4. Article 18 of this Federal Law shall not apply to elections of deputies of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Union State of the first convocation from the Russian Federation conducted under the federal law.

5. If the legislation of a subject of the Russian Federation do not comply with Clause 16, Article 35 of this Federal Law, the said clause shall not apply to elections in this subject of the Russian Federation called before July 14, 2003. Within the said period, the legislation of the subject of the Russian Federation shall be brought into compliance with Clause 16, Article 35 of this Federal Law. The said period shall not apply if less than three regional branches of political parties are registered on the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, and the legislation of such subject of the Russian Federation shall be brought into compliance with Clause 16, Article 35 of this Federal Law before the expiration of one month from the day on which regional branches of at least three political parties are registered. The legislation of a subject of the Russian Federation may also be brought into compliance with Clause 16, Article 35 of this Federal Law before the expiration of the above periods.

6. Clause 16, Article 38 of this Federal Law shall enter into effect after the conduct of the first, after entering into force of this Federal Law, election of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Article 81. Transitional Provisions

1. Election commissions formed before this Federal Law entered into force, with the exception of those referred to in Clause 1, Article 85 of this Federal Law, shall retain their powers until the expiration of the period for which they were formed, but for not more than five years from the day of their formation. Vacant seats in election commissions shall be occupied in a procedure established by this Federal Law.

2. Until the Government of the Russian Federation adopts an act determining the form and the procedure of making a certificate to be issued to citizens of the Russian Federation held in custody in places where suspects and defendants are held for their participation in voting, the existing procedure for participation in voting shall be applicable to the said category of persons.

Article 82. On Combination of Elections

1. For the purposes of holding on the same day the voting at an election of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation and the voting at an election of federal bodies of state power or at other elections conducted on the territory of the Russian Federation as a whole, the terms of powers of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation may be extended or cut off by not more than one year.

2. For the purposes of holding on the same day the voting at elections of bodies of state power of one subject of the Russian Federation, the term of powers of one of the bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation may be extended or cut off by not more than one year.

3. For the purposes of holding on the same day the voting at elections of bodies of local self-government of one and the same municipality, and for the purpose of holding on the same day the voting at an election of bodies of local self-government and at an election of bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation in one subject of the Russian Federation, or at an election of federal bodies of state power, or at another election conducted on the territory of the Russian Federation as a whole, the term of powers of such bodies of local self-government may be extended or cut off by not more than one year.

4. The extension or cutting off of the term of powers of a body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation provided for by Clauses 1 and 2 of this article shall be effected by means of a law of the subject of the Russian Federation. The extension or cutting off of the term of powers of a body of local self-government provided for by Clause 3 of this article shall be effected by means of a regulatory act of the municipality. Such extension or cutting off shall be made known to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. Elections of bodies of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, the terms of powers of which are thus extended or cut off shall be held before May 1, 2004. Funding of such elections shall be effected from the relevant budgets.

Article 83. Guarantees of Performance of Electoral Functions by Officials of Local Self-Government

If there is no office of the head of a municipality and the municipal unit has no representative body of local self-government or if a representative body of local self-government has not appointed a person authorized to perform electoral actions under this Federal Law, or if the said persons have failed to perform such actions within the periods required by this Federal Law, such electoral actions shall be performed by the highest official of the subject of the Russian Federation (the head of the executive body of state power of a Russian Federation subject) or by some other official appointed by him.

Article 84. On Participation of Political Public Associations in Elections

1. Political public associations that were established and registered in accordance with the federal laws, laws of subjects of the Russian Federation at a level corresponding to the level of the election, or at a higher level, shall be entitled to participate, as electoral associations and along with the electoral associations referred to in Clause 25, Article 2 of this Federal Law, in an election of the relevant level, the decision on calling which was officially published before the expiration of two years from the day of entry into force of the Federal Law "On Political Parties." The said political public associations, or amendments and supplements introduced to the charters of public association to confer the status of political public associations on them, shall be registered not later than one year before voting day, and when an election is called to the legislative (representative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation or to the executive body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, to the body of local self-government in the event of early termination of powers of the relevant body, not later than six months before voting day. The said periods shall not apply to the other amendments and supplements introduced to the charters of political public associations.

2. A political public association that was recognized as an electoral association and was entitled to nominate candidates for membership in commissions before this Federal Law entered into effect, in the event of its reorganization that has no effect on its status of a political public association, or in the event of its reorganization into a political party, shall retain the rights specified in Clause 7, Article 23, Clause 8, Article 24, Clause 7, Article 25, Clause 7, Article 26, Clause 5, Article 27 of this Federal Law. A voluntary association of two or more electoral associations that was recognized as an electoral bloc and was entitled to nominate candidates for membership in commissions before this Federal Law has entered into effect, in the event of its reorganization that has no effect on its status of a political public association, or in the event of its reorganization into a political party, shall retain the rights specified in Clause 7, Article 23, Clause 8, Article 24, Clause 7, Article 25, Clause 7, Article 26, Clause 5, Article 27 of this Federal Law. Such electoral bloc may, by a decision of a duly authorized body, delegate these rights to one of its member electoral associations, or to an electoral association the founders of which are electoral associations that are members of this electoral bloc. The said electoral association, in the event of its reorganization that has no effect on its status of a political public association, or in the event of its reorganization into a political party shall retain the right to make such nominations.

Article 85. On Formation of Territorial Election Commissions

1. Territorial election commissions shall be formed in compliance with the requirements of this Federal Law within six months after the effective date of this Federal Law.

2. If in the period after this Federal Law has entered into effect and before territorial election commissions are formed, an election is called to bodies of state power of the subject of the Russian Federation, bodies of local self-government, the territorial election commission shall be formed within a period established by the law of the subject of the Russian Federation in accordance with the requirements of this Federal Law.

3. By a decision of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation taken on the basis of an application of the relevant election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation, territorial election commissions that functioned on a permanent basis before this Federal Law has entered into effect shall retain their powers and function until the territorial election commissions are formed at the first election of federal bodies of state power or an election of deputies of the House of Representatives of the Union State of the first convocation called after this Federal Law has entered into effect.

4. By a decision of the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation agreed with the representative body of local self-government, the powers of a territorial election commission may be vested on the municipality election commission formed in accordance with this Federal Law. If the territory fallen within the area of responsibility of the territorial election commission includes several municipalities and an municipality election commission is formed in each of them, the powers of this territorial election commission shall not be vested on these municipality election commissions.

President of the Russian Federation V. Putin

Moscow

June 12, 2002

N. 67-FZ

Appendix

Information about Property

Me, candidate ___________________________________________________________________

(surname, first name, patronymic, date of birth)

___________________________________________________________________,

(main place of work or service, office; if there is no ___________________________________________________________________,

main place of work or service, occupation)

residing at the address __________________________________________,

(residential address)

hereby provide information about property owned by me (my spouse*)(including joint property), and my proprietary liabilities**:

______________________________

*Information about the property owned by the spouse shall be provided only if required by the federal law.

**This information shall be provided as of the first day of the month in which the decision to call (hold) the election is officially published.

1. Real Property

Nos.	Type and name of property	Type of ownership*	Location (address)	Total area (m²)
1	2	3	4	5
1	Plots of land**: 1) 2) 3)
2	Residential buildings: 1) 2) 3)
3	Apartments: 1) 2) 3)
4	Country houses (dachas): 1) 2) 3)
5	Garages: 1) 2) 3)
6	Other real properties: 1) 2) 3)

* Specify the type of ownership (personal, joint), for joint property, specify the other persons or entities (surname, name, patronymic or the name) co-owning the property; for shared property, the share of the person whose data is provided herein shall be specified.

** Specify the type of the plot of land (the share, the interest): for a private house construction, for a country house, garden, backyard plot, kitchen garden, other.

2. Vehicles

Nos.	Type and model of vehicle	Type of ownership	Location
1	2	3	4
1	Cars: 1) 2)
2	Trucks (lorries): 1) 2)
3	Other vehicles subject to registration: 1) 2)

______________________________

3. Monetary funds on accounts with banks and other credit organizations

Nos.	Name and address of bank or credit organization	Type and currency of the account*	Opened date of the account	Balance (RUR)
1	2	3	4	5

______________________________

*Specify type of account (deposit, current, settlement, loan, etc.) and the currency of the account.

**Specify the balance of the account as of the first day of the month in which the decision on calling (holding) the election was officially published. For foreign-currency accounts, specify the balance in Russian rubles at the rate of the Central Bank on the above date.

4. Securities

4.1. Shares of stocks and other interests in commercial organizations

Nos.	Name and legal form of organization	Location (address) of organization	Charter capital*(2)	Share, interest*(3)	Grounds of interest*(4)
1	2	3	4	5	6

______________________________

*(1) Specify the full or abbreviated official name of the organization and its legal organizational form (a joint-stock company, a limited liability company, a partnership, a production cooperative, etc.).

*(2) Specify the charter capital as stated in the foundation documents of the organization as of the first day of the month in which the decision on calling (holding) the election was officially published. For charter capitals denominated in foreign currencies, specify the equivalent in Russian rubles at the rate of the Central Bank on the above date.

*(3) Specify the share (interest) as percentage of the charter capital. For joint-stock companies, also specify the par value and the number of shares.

*(4) Specify the basis on which the share (interest) were acquired (foundation agreement, privatization, purchase, exchange, transfer by way of gift, legacy, etc.), and the details (date, number) of the relevant agreement or deed.

4.2. Other Securities

Nos.	Type of security*	Issuing entity	Par value	Total number	Total value**(RUR)
1	2	3	4	5	6

______________________________

* Specify all securities by types (bonds, bills of exchange, etc.), except the shares stated in sub-section 4.1 "Shares of stocks and other interests in commercial organizations."

** Specify the total value of securities of a given type on the basis of their acquisition cost (if this cannot be identified, on the basis of the market value or the par value). For liabilities denominated in foreign exchange, specify the value in Russian rubles at the rate of the Central Bank as of the first day of the month in which the decision to call (hold) the election was officially published.

Total for section 4 "Securities" the aggregate declared value of securities, including interests in commercial organizations (RUR): _________________

I hereby certify that the above information is true and complete:

"__" _____________ ____ ______________________.

(candidate’s signature)