Spspent power-Federal Law of 19.09.97 N 124-FZ Russian Federation FEDERAL LAW On basic guarantees of voting rights of citizens Russian Federation (B of Federal Act No. N 139-FZ) Adopted by the State Duma on 26 October 1994 The local authorities of the Russian Federation are the highest direct expression of the people in power. The State guarantees the free expression of the will of citizens in elections by protecting democratic principles and the rules of electoral law. The Federal Law defines the basic guarantees for the exercise by citizens of the Russian Federation of their constitutional right to elect and be elected to the organs of state power and bodies of local self-government. Chapter I. General Article 1. The Federal Law sets out the basic guarantees of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation in the elections of the President of the Russian Federation, deputies of the State Duma. OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION In the elections to the local self-government bodies, conducted in accordance with federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation on elections to the State authorities of subjects The Russian Federation, as well as the elections to local self-government bodies, cannot contradict this Federal Law. The laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation may establish additional guarantees for the electoral rights of citizens. Election rights of citizens of the Russian Federation and their guarantees established by this Federal Law, as well as other federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of legislative (representative) bodies The State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation cannot be changed except through the adoption of a federal law. Article 2. Basic terms used in this Federal Law This Federal Law uses the following terms: Elections in the Russian Federation-Election of the President of the Russian Federation OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION federal laws, elections to the public authorities OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION the nomination and registration of candidates, the conduct of electoral campaigning, the voting and the taking of its results and other electoral activities in accordance with federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts. OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The electoral rights of citizens are the constitutional right of citizens of the Russian Federation to elect and be elected to the organs of state power and to elected bodies of local self-government; guarantees of electoral rights of citizens- OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION authorities and elected local governments; passive The right to vote is the right of citizens of the Russian Federation to be elected to the bodies of state power and to elected bodies of local self-government; voter is a citizen of the Russian Federation, who has an active election. Election commissions of the President of the Russian Federation, deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and other federal state bodies Constitution of the Russian Federation OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, a candidate for deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, a candidate for the post of the head of the executive body of the state power (President) of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation or elected body of local self-government, elected by the citizens of the Russian Federation; the electoral association is a voluntary association whose statutes provide for participation in elections by nominating candidates who have been established and Registered in accordance with the procedure established by federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, no later than six months before the announcement Election Day; Electoral Unit-Voluntary Union of Two OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Participation in the elections. The electoral bloc has the rights of the electoral association; the list of candidates is a single list of candidates nominated by the Electoral Union (the electoral bloc) for the legislative (representative) elections in the state. authorities or elected body of local self-government; pre-election campaign-activities of citizens of the Russian Federation, public associations for the preparation and dissemination of information aimed at encouraging voters to take part in the elections (...) (...) (...) (...) Article 3. The principles of the participation of a citizen of the Russian Federation in the elections , a citizen of the Russian Federation, shall participate in elections on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. The participation of a citizen of the Russian Federation in elections is voluntary. No one has the right to influence a citizen of the Russian Federation in order to compel him to participate or not to participate in elections and to freely express his or her will. A citizen of the Russian Federation, living abroad, has full voting rights. Diplomatic and consular institutions of the Russian Federation are obliged to assist a citizen of the Russian Federation in the exercise of the voting rights established by this Federal Law. Article 4. Universal suffrage A citizen of the Russian Federation who has reached the age of 18 is entitled to vote, and on reaching the age established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, by this Federal Law and other federal laws, The laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation-to be elected to the bodies of state power in elected bodies of local self-government. A citizen of the Russian Federation may elect and be elected regardless of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, property and official position, place of residence, attitude to religion, beliefs, membership of to voluntary associations. Do not have the right to elect and be elected citizens declared by a court to be incompetent, or citizens held in places of deprivation of liberty by a court sentence. The laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation may establish additional conditions for the acquisition by a citizen of the Russian Federation. The passive electoral law relating to the attainment of a certain age or the duration of his/her residence in a certain territory of the Russian Federation (election level, respectively). The minimum age of the candidate may not exceed 21 years in the elections to the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, 30 years in the election of the head of the executive branch of the State (President) of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation and 21 years in the elections of the head of local self-government; the period of compulsory residence in the said territory may not exceed one year. Restrictions relating to the status of deputies, including the inability to be in the civil service, to engage in other paid activities, are established by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, laws and regulations. and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Article 5. Equal voting rights Voters participate in elections in the Russian Federation on an equal basis. Article 6. Direct election right Voters voting in elections in the Russian Federation for or against candidates (list of candidates) directly. Article 7. Secret ballot Voting in the elections in the Russian Federation is a secret, that is to exclude the possibility of any control over the expression of the will of the elector. Chapter II: Guarantees of citizens ' voting rights in drawing up lists of voters, education of the electoral districts and polling stations Article 8. The registration of voters lists All citizens of the Russian Federation, who have an active right to vote on election day, are included in the electoral rolls. The electoral register is drawn up by the precinct election commission separately for each polling station on the basis of information submitted in the prescribed form by the head of the local administration. The lists of registered voters shall be updated by the head of the local administration as of 1 January and 1 July of each year. This information shall be sent to the appropriate election commissions immediately after the date of the election. The basis for the inclusion of a citizen of the Russian Federation in the electoral register at a particular polling station is his residence in the territory of this polling station, determined in accordance with federal law, OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION A citizen of the Russian Federation can only be included in the list of voters at one polling station. The grounds and procedure for drawing up the lists of voters shall be established in the relevant federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The voter list is available for general review no later than 30 days before the election day. Every citizen of the Russian Federation, who has the right to vote, has the right to report to the precinct election commission that it is not included in the voters 'list, as well as about any error or inaccuracy on the voters' list. Within 24 hours, the precinct election commission is required to check the application and either correct the error or provide the applicant with a written response indicating the reasons for the rejection of the application. The decision of the precinct election commission may be appealed to a higher electoral commission (election level, respectively) or to the court, which is obliged to consider the complaint within three days, and on election day, immediately. It is prohibited to make changes to the voters ' lists after the vote count has been initiated. Article 9. Constituencies of the electoral districts The electoral districts shall be formed on the basis of data provided by the executive bodies of state power and local authorities. The boundaries of the electoral districts and the number of voters in each constituency shall be determined by the respective election commission and shall be approved by the appropriate representative body at least 60 days before the election day. When elections are held in the Russian Federation, the electoral districts should be formed by observing the following requirements: indicative equality of constituencies by number of electors with an acceptable deviation from the average No more than 10 per cent of the electorate, and not more than 15 per cent in hard-to-reach and remote areas; in the formation of electoral districts in areas with small indigenous minorities, the deviation from average rules of representation in accordance with laws and other regulations The legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation may exceed these limits by no more than 30 per cent. This requirement shall not apply to federal State elections if federal laws make it compulsory to establish at least one electoral district in the territory of each constituent entity of the Russian Federation; Constituency constitutes a single territory: it is not permitted to establish a constituency of non-contiguous territories, except in the cases established by federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal frameworks. by legislative (representative) organs of the State OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The administrative and territorial division shall be taken into account in the observance of these requirements for the formation of constituencies. Article 10. Education of polling stations Polling stations are formed to conduct voting and vote counting. Polling stations shall be formed by the head of the local administration, in consultation with the respective election commissions, taking into account local and other conditions, in order to create maximum convenience for voters at a rate not exceeding 3 000 Voter turnout at each polling station and no later than 45 days before the election day. The boundaries of the polling stations shall not cross the boundaries of the electoral districts. In hospitals, sanatoriums, rest homes and other places of temporary residence of voters, in remote and remote areas, on vessels on election day, and on the polar stations may be selective In the same period, and in exceptional cases, no later than five days prior to the date of the election; such polling stations shall enter the constituencies at their location or at the place of residence of the vessel. Members of the armed forces vote at the general polling stations. In military units, polling stations may be formed in the cases prescribed by federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation; All members of the election commission, observers, candidates and their proxnames must have access to the voting room. The lists of polling stations with the boundaries and addresses of precinct election commissions should be published by the corresponding election commission in the local press not later than 40 days before the election day. Chapter III: Ensuring the electoral rights of citizens Election Commissions Article 11. The status of election commissions in the Russian Federation ensure the implementation and protection of citizens ' electoral rights. Preparation and conduct of elections in the Russian Federation: Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation; election commissions of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation; Election commissions; territorial (district, city and other) electoral commissions. Within one administrative-territorial unit with a large number of voters, several territorial election commissions are established; precinct election commissions. In order to ensure the constitutional rights of citizens of the Russian Federation to elect and be elected to local self-government bodies, the federal law may establish temporary rules that regulate the powers and The procedure for the activities of election commissions on elections of representative bodies of local self-government and officials of local self-government and act in the event that the laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Other rules have been established. (...) (...) N 139-FZ) The powers and procedures of the electoral commissions for elections to the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and in elected local self-government bodies shall be established by laws and other regulations. The normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. In the preparation and conduct of elections, the election commissions are not dependent on state bodies and local self-government bodies within their competence. Acts of election commissions adopted within their competence, established by federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation The Federation is binding on the executive bodies of the State, local authorities, voluntary associations, enterprises, institutions, organizations and officials, as well as the lower (respectively the level of the elections held) of the electoral commissions. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the electoral commissions of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation are legal entities. Other election commissions may be recognized by legal entities in accordance with the laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. State bodies, local authorities, voluntary associations, enterprises, institutions, organizations, the media and their officials are obliged to assist the election commissions in in the exercise of their powers, inter alia, to provide the necessary premises, transportation, communications equipment, technical equipment, information and materials, to respond to the appeals of the electoral commissions within the time limits laid down by federal laws and laws and other regulatory legal instruments (Representative) of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as the possibility of publishing the printed information of election commissions in accordance with the procedure established by federal laws, laws and other regulations. OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Article 12. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is a permanent member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is leading the activity of election commissions on elections of the President of the Russian Federation, deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The term of office of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is four years. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation consists of 15 members. The five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation are appointed by the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation from among the candidates nominated by the State Duma. The five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation are appointed by the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation from among candidates proposed by legislative (representative) and executive bodies of the State OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The five members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation are appointed by the President of the Russian Federation. Members of the commission should have higher legal education or degree in law. The members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation shall elect from their members a secret ballot by the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman and the Secretary. Members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation may be relieved of their post until the expiry of the term of office by decision of the body that appointed them, in the following cases: written statement of a member of the Central Electoral Commission OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, together with the electoral commissions of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation: monitors the observance of the electoral rights of citizens; the State-wide voter registration system; is developing standards of technological equipment needed for the work of election commissions and monitoring compliance; on the organization of a uniform voting system and of the the results of the elections in the Russian Federation; allocates funds allocated from the federal budget to finance the preparation and conduct of elections, supervises their use; methodological, organizational and technical assistance to the electoral commissions. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation has the right to issue instructions on the application of this Federal Act, which is binding on all election commissions in the Russian Federation. Article 13. Formation of election commissions Formation of election commissions on elections to federal bodies of state power, as well as on elections to the bodies of state power of subjects of the Russian Federation is determined respectively, federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Formation of election commissions of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation shall be carried out by legislative (representative) and executive bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation on the basis of proposals by the public authorities. Associations, elected bodies of local self-government, voter assemblies at their place of work, service, study and residence. At the same time, at least half of the members of the election commission shall be appointed by the legislative (representative) body of the State authorities of the constituent entity of the Russian Federation. The formation of election commissions for the elections to the local self-government bodies shall be carried out on the basis of proposals by voluntary associations, the assembly of voters at the place of work, service, study and residence, in accordance with The laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and the statutes (regulations) on local self-government. In order to ensure the constitutional rights of citizens of the Russian Federation to elect and be elected to local self-government bodies, the federal law may establish temporary rules that regulate the formation of the law. Election commissions for the elections of representative bodies of local self-government and officials of local self-government and shall act if the laws and other regulatory legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies The State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation do not have any other rules. (...) (...) N 139-FZ) The election commissions cannot include candidates, their proxists, spouses and close relatives of the candidates, or persons directly under their authority. After registration of the candidate, the electoral association that nominated the candidate (the list of candidates), or the candidate has the right to nominate a candidate to the election commission, and to the lower electoral commissions one by one a member with the right of a deliberative voice. Members of the election commission with the right of deliberative vote have the right of access to all materials and documents of the relevant election commission, should be informed of all meetings of the election commission, have the right to speak at its meetings. The terms of reference of the members of the election commission in a consultative vote in cases where the candidates or the electable associations have been elected are elected until the end of the registration of candidates in the next election to the same organ or At the same time, the powers of the remaining members of the election commission, with a consultative vote, will be terminated 30 days after the publication of the full election results. Article 14. Transparency in the activities of election commissions The activity of election commissions is transparent and open. The candidates and their proxies, representatives of the electoral associations and the media are entitled to attend the meetings of the relevant election commission. Decisions of the election commissions are published in the press and transferred to other media within the time limits established by the relevant federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION On the day of voting, from the beginning of the work of the precinct election commission to the signing of the protocol on the results of voting, observers are entitled to attend the polling stations. international observers, as well as foreign (international) observers. Foreign (international) observers carry out their activities in accordance with federal laws. Article 15. Organization of electoral commissions The activities of election commissions are conducted on the basis of collegiality. The Electoral Commission shall be eligible if the majority of the established number of members of the electoral commission has participated, with the right to vote. Decisions of the election commissions on the registration of candidates (lists of candidates), the cancellation of registration of candidates, on the results of voting or on the results of the elections, the acceptance of the election invalid or invalid Meetings of the election commissions by a majority of votes from the established number of members of the election commission with the right to vote. Decisions of election commissions on other matters shall be taken by a simple majority of the number of members present of the election commission with the casting vote. Decisions of the election commission shall be signed by the chairman and secretary of the election commission. Members of the election commission who do not agree with the decision taken by the commission shall have the right in writing to express a dissenting opinion, which shall be brought to the attention of the higher election commission by the chairman of the commission not later than within three days. Decision of the election commission, contrary to federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of legislative (representative) bodies of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation or adopted by the electoral branch The commission is subject to cancellation by a higher electoral commission (election level) or a court. Article 16. Appeals against violations of the electoral rights of citizens In accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, decisions and actions (or inaction) of state authorities, local authorities, public associations and officials Persons violating the electoral rights of citizens may be appealed to the courts. The court's decision on the merits of the complaint is final. The decisions and actions (or inaction) of the election commissions and their officials who violate the electoral rights of citizens may be appealed to the higher electoral commission (election level, respectively) or to the court. Prior referral to a higher electoral commission is not a prerequisite for judicial recourse. Decisions on complaints received during the election are taken within five days, and on election day, immediately. In the event that the facts contained in the complaints are subject to further verification, decisions on them shall be taken not later than within a period of 10 days. In so doing, the higher electoral commission has the right to decide on the merits of the complaint on its merits. Chapter IV: Nomination and registration of candidates Article 17. The right to nominate candidates The right to nominate candidates (lists of candidates) belongs to the electoral associations and directly to the voters, including in the place of work, service, study and residence. Article 18. The nomination of candidates by election associations Candidates (lists of candidates) is entitled to nominate the electoral associations. The decisions on the nomination of candidates (lists of candidates) from the electoral associations are taken accordingly by the level of elections held at congresses (conferences) of federal, regional and local electoral associations, and at meetings of local groups the offices of these electoral associations. The electoral blocs are to be registered with the relevant election commission after they have submitted to the commission a joint list of candidates. The nomination of candidates (candidate lists) from the electoral bloc is held at the congress (conference) of representatives of public associations affiliated to the electoral bloc. Public associations within the electoral bloc shall not be allowed to enter any other election blocs or act as independent electoral associations at the same elections. The decisions on the nomination of candidates (list of candidates) from the electoral associations and electoral blocs shall be taken by secret ballot. In support of candidates (lists of candidates) nominated from electoral associations and electoral blocs, the signatures of voters are collected in order and amount, as determined by federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal frameworks OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION The maximum number of signatures required for registration of candidates (candidate lists) may not exceed two per cent of the number of voters established in the electoral rolls under this Federal Act. Article 19. Nomination of candidates directly by voters The candidate is directly elected by collecting signatures under his application for nomination. The collection of signatures is carried out at the place of work (including in the labor collectives), service, study and residence. The administration and labour collectives of enterprises of all forms of ownership, institutions and organizations are obliged to assist in creating equal conditions for the nomination of candidates. The number of signatures and the procedure for their collection are established by federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The maximum number of signatures required for registration of candidates cannot exceed two per cent of the number of voters in the respective constituency. The signatures can only be collected among the voters who have an active right to vote, in the constituency where the candidates are nominated. The period of nomination of candidates should be at least 45 days in the elections of the President of the Russian Federation, deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, in other federal state bodies, on election to which The Constitution of the Russian Federation stipulates that at least 30 days are provided for in the elections to the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and in elected bodies of local self-government. The initiative to collect signatures on the candidate's nomination may come from any voter (electors). On his initiative, he (they) shall notify the election commission in which the candidate will be registered. Article 20. Registration of candidates (candidates lists) Candidates (lists of candidates) shall be registered by the respective election commission on the submission of the electoral associations and voters nominating candidates, if there are statements The candidates of their agreement to run for this constituency. The documents submitted indicate the affiliation of the candidate to any electoral association. In the event that a candidate does not belong to an electoral association, he or she shall participate in the election as an independent candidate. A record of the candidate's membership of an electoral association or an independent status shall be recorded in the ballot. At the same time, the relevant election commission shall be represented by a fixed number of voters ' signatures in support of the candidate (list of candidates). In the event that no candidate is registered in the electoral district or the number of registered candidates will be less than or equal to the number of seats assigned to or equal to the number of registered candidates in the electoral district The district, by decision of the relevant electoral commission, shall be postponed for further nomination of candidates and the conduct of subsequent election activities. In case of refusal to register a candidate (list of candidates), the corresponding election commission shall immediately deliver to the candidate or his trustee or the authorized representative of the electoral association a copy The decision of the commission setting out the reasons for the refusal. The reason for the refusal may be the failure to comply with the requirements of federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation on elections in the Russian Federation. The candidate has the right to withdraw from the election at any time before the election day. Chapter V Status Article 21. Equality of candidates All candidates have equal rights and have equal responsibilities. Article 22. Job guarantees After registration, candidates in the public or municipal service, as well as working in the media, shall be released from service for the time of their participation in the elections. The duty to take advantage of its official position is not to be taken advantage of. Candidates are released from work, military service, military fees and studies for the time of their participation in the elections. During this period, the relevant election commission, with funds allocated for the organization of preparation and holding of elections, pays them monetary compensation. The types, dimensions and procedures of compensation are established by federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. At the time of the election, candidates may not be dismissed from work on the initiative of the administration (employer) or transferred without their consent. The time of participation of a candidate in the election is counted towards the total length of service in the field of work for which he or she worked until the candidate is registered. The Post-registration applicant may not be brought without the consent of the prosecutor (election level) to criminal responsibility, arrested or subjected to administrative penalties imposed by the courts. In the case of consent, the prosecutor is obliged to inform the electoral commission who has carried out the registration of the candidate. Chapter VI: The election campaign Article 23. The right to election campaign provides citizens of the Russian Federation, public associations with free campaigning in accordance with federal laws. Citizens of the Russian Federation, public associations are entitled to campaign for or against any candidate, election association, in the forms and legal methods permitted by law. The candidates and the electoral associations are guaranteed equal access to the media. The election campaign can be carried out through mass media, by holding pre-election events, including meetings and meetings with voters, public debates and debates, rallies, demonstrations, processions, production and distribution of campaign printed materials. Candidate, the electoral association has the right to determine the form and the nature of the election campaign through the mass media. Members of election commissions, state bodies, local self-government bodies, officials of state bodies and bodies of local self-government may not participate in the election campaign. The officials of State and local self-government bodies that are candidates may participate in the election campaign on an equal basis with other candidates. Journalists, media officials, officials and artists of public broadcasters are prohibited from participating in the coverage of the electoral campaign through the mass media, if any The persons concerned are candidates or trustee candidates. Article 24. The conditions for the election campaign through the media Candidate, the electoral association are entitled to free airtime by state and municipal channels Television and radio companies broadcasting television and radio broadcasting on the territory of the respective electoral district on an equal basis. The candidate, the election association is entitled, on the basis of a contract with the State Television and Radio Company, to obtain airtime beyond the airtime provided free of charge. Terms of payment for candidates and election associations should be equal. Instructions on the procedure for the provision of airtime to candidates, election associations through the channels of state television and radio companies are published by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with the participation of the state bodies, ensuring respect for constitutional rights and freedoms in the mass media. The media, the founders (co-sponsors) of which are State or municipal authorities, organizations, institutions or which are financed in whole or in part by means made available from the respective The budget (the federal budget, the federal budget of the Russian Federation, the local budget) or the local self-government bodies must ensure equal opportunities to present pre-election programs of candidates and electoral associations, holding different political views. All campaign publications should contain information about the organizations and individuals responsible for their release. The dissemination of anonymous campaign materials is prohibited. State and local government officials are required to make available to the election commissions for their use the premises of state or municipal property for the candidates ' meetings and their use trusted persons with voters. The electoral commissions are obliged to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates in the election campaign. Article 25. Inadmissibility of abuse of the right to conduct a pre-election campaign No abuse of freedom of mass information, agitation to incite social, racial, or any other kind is permitted. National or religious hatred and enmity, calls for the seizure of power, forced alteration of the constitutional order and violation of the state' s integrity, propaganda of war. In case of these violations, the election commissions have the right to apply to the court with a proposal to cancel the decision on the registration of the candidate (candidate lists). The proposal is considered by the court within three days. The election commissions monitor compliance with the established procedure for campaigning. Article 26. The electoral campaigning period The election campaign begins from the day of registration of candidates and ends one day before the election day. Printed campaign materials, previously worn out outside the buildings and offices of election commissions, may remain in place. The publication of the results of public opinion polls, forecasts of election results and other electoral studies is not permitted within three days before the election day, including polling day. Chapter VII. Financing of the elections Article 27. Financial support for the preparation and conduct of the elections The costs of election commissions for the preparation and conduct of elections in the Russian Federation are made at the expense of funds made available from of the corresponding budget (federal budget, budget of the subject of the Russian Federation, local budget). The costs of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation related to the exercise of its powers are set out in a separate line in the federal budget. The report of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation on the expenditure of funds is submitted to the chambers of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Article 28. The election funds and the procedure for their creation Candidates are creating their own electoral funds to finance the election campaign. Electoral associations may also establish electoral funds in the elections to the State and local elected bodies. Electoral funds can be created at the expense of the following means: funds allocated to the electoral association or the candidate in equal amounts for the election campaign by the respective election commission; own funds of an election association or candidate, except when the funds are foreign sources; funds allocated to the candidate by the nominating vote of the candidate; donations of individuals and legal entities. The use of funds listed in the election funds is permitted for the purposes of electoral campaigning. "Voluntary contributions from foreign states, organizations and citizens, Russian legal entities with foreign participation are not allowed, if the share of foreign capital exceeds 30%, international organizations, and international organizations," he said. State organizations and institutions, local authorities and religious associations. The federal law establishes the taxation of voluntary contributions to the electoral funds. Federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation set limits on the size of the electoral funds the candidate or the electoral association, as well as the funds allocated to the candidate by the nominated electoral association, and the voluntary donations of individuals and legal entities. The election commission is obliged to periodically publish information on the size and sources of the establishment of the election funds on the basis of information submitted by the candidate or the election association. The candidate, the electoral association shall submit to the relevant election commission a report on the size and all sources of the establishment of their election funds, and all the produced, no later than 30 days after the end of the elections. The election commission is obliged to publish this report within 45 days after its submission to the election commission. Article 29. The method of expenditure of election funds All funds creating the electoral fund shall be transferred to a special account in the bank or credit institution, which is opened by the candidate or the electoral association with the authorization of the relevant election commission after registration of the candidate (candidate list). The procedure for opening and maintaining these accounts, accounting and reporting on the funds of election funds shall be established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation in agreement with the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The right to dispose of the funds of election funds belongs to the candidates who created them or to the electoral associations. The balances of the cash in the accounts of candidates and the electoral constituencies after the completion of the elections are listed in proportion to the invested funds in the current (estimated) accounts of the organizations and persons who have carried out the transfers and donations. Chapter VIII. Method of voting, counting of votes voters, setting the results of elections and their publication Article 30. The voting procedure Elections in the Russian Federation shall be held at one weekend. Exceptions to the establishment of voting day may be provided by federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. About time and place of voting, precinct election commissions shall notify the voters not later than 20 days before the day of voting through the mass media. Voters who, within 15 days of the election day, for one reason or another, will be absent from their place of residence and will not be able to come to the polling station where he is included in the voters ' list The possibility to vote early by filling the ballot box in the premises of the district or precinct election commission has been provided. The Electoral Commission is obliged to ensure secrecy of the vote, exclude the possibility of distortion of the expression of the will of the voter, ensure the integrity of the ballot paper and the counting of votes in the establishment of the voting results. Voting shall be carried out by means of a ballot in the ballot paper of a square (s) relating to the candidate (s) or the list of candidates for whom selection is made or against a position " against all candidates (candidate lists) ". Each voter shall vote in person, voting for other persons is not permitted. Ballot papers are issued to voters included in the voters ' list upon presentation of a passport or other identification document. The precinct election commission is obliged to ensure that all voters can participate in the voting, including those who, for reasons of health or other valid reasons, are unable to arrive in the polling station. To this end, the precinct election commission should have the necessary number of portable ballot boxes, which is determined by the decision of the district election commission. The application for a vote outside the polling station shall be confirmed by the voter in writing upon the arrival of the members of the precinct election commission. Members of the precinct election commission, who come to the polls, receive ballot papers corresponding to the number of applications. The number of voters ' statements, used and returned ballots, is noted in a separate act. Voters voting outside the polling station are added to the list. Observers may participate in voting outside the polling station. The organization of voting outside the voting room should exclude the possibility of violation of the electoral rights of the citizen, as well as distortion of the expression of the will of the voter. The ballot papers are filled by the voter in a specially equipped cabin or room in which no other person is allowed to be present. A voter, unable to complete the ballot, is entitled to use the assistance of another person who is not a member of the precinct election commission or observer. The ballot paper shall contain the stamp of the precinct election commission or signature of at least two of its members. The voter receipt of the ballot is certified by the voters ' list. Filled voting ballots are lowered by voters to the ballot box, which should be placed in the field of view of the members of the precinct election commission and observers. A member of the precinct election commission shall be immediately suspended from participation in its work, and the observer shall be removed from the voting room if they violate the secrecy of the vote or attempt to influence the will of the voter. The decision is made by the precinct election commission. Article 31. Voter turnout of voters election commissions Voters ' vote is exercised by members of the precinct election commission with the right to vote, on the basis of electoral votes cast by voters Ballot papers. In counting the votes of the voters, the precinct election commission will invalidate the ballot papers, on which it is impossible to establish the expression of the will of the voters, as well as the ballots of unknown form. Members of the precinct election commission calculate and record the following data in the voting records: number of registered voters and number of voters added to the list; number of electoral votes ballots received by the precinct election commission; number of ballot papers issued to voters at the polling station on polling day; number of paid ballots; number Voter ballots cast by voters ahead of schedule; number of ballot papers submitted by voters who voted at home; number of ballot papers contained in the electoral boxes; number of valid ballots; number of invalid ballots: Number of votes cast for each of the positions contained in all ballot papers, including the position " against all candidates candidates). ". When making a decision about recognition The ballot paper invoided by the precinct election commission shall indicate on its downside the reasons for its invalidity. This is confirmed by the signatures of at least three members of the precinct election commission. Ballot papers of unknown form in determining the number of voters who have taken part in the voting are excluded from the counting. In order to exclude the possibility of falsification of voting results, the counting of the votes cast shall begin immediately after the end of the voting period, and shall be held without interruption until the results of the voting have been established and notified to the vote. All members of the precinct election commission, as well as observers representing candidates, electoral associations and foreign (international) observers. After counting the votes of the voters, the precinct election commission fills in two copies a protocol on the results of voting. When signing the protocol on the results of voting, members of the precinct election commission, who do not agree with its content, have the right to make a special opinion annexed to the protocol, as the corresponding record is made in the protocol. At the request of any member of the precinct election commission or observer, the precinct election commission is obliged to provide them with a certified copy of the report on the results of the voting. One copy of the protocol of the precinct election commission on the outcome of the voting by all present members of the precinct election commission with the right of a casting vote immediately goes to the higher Election Commission. Article 32. Establishment of election results Based on the original protocols of district, territorial (district, city and other) election commissions by adding the data contained in them to the district election commission in accordance with The federal laws, laws and other normative legal acts of the legislative (representative) bodies of the State authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation set out the results of the election in the electoral district. The members of the District Electoral Commission, with a casting vote, shall determine the results of the election in person. The election results for the electoral district shall be drawn up with a protocol signed by all members of the district election commission with the right to vote. The District Electoral Commission shall declare the election invalid if the irregularities in the conduct of the voting or the determination of the results of the vote do not allow the results of the will of the voters to be established with confidence. At the request of any member of the district election commission or an observer, the District Electoral Commission shall provide them with an opportunity to review the results of the election and to make a copy of it in the district electoral office. Commission. A copy of the report shall be certified by the District Electoral Commission. The election results and election results for election commissions at all levels are carried out in the presence of observers representing candidates and electoral associations, as well as foreign (international) observers. When the election results are signed, members of the district election commission, who do not agree with the content of the protocol, are entitled to draw up a special opinion annexed to the protocol, as recorded in the protocol. All documentation of election commissions at all levels, including ballot papers, shall be retained within the time limits established by federal laws, laws and other regulatory legal acts OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION At the same time, the deadlines for the retention of ballots may not be less than one year, and the protocols of election commissions less than one year from the date of the announcement of the date of the next election. Article 33. Publication of results of voting and results elections Voting results for each polling station, election results for the electoral district in the amount of data contained in the relevant electoral district Commissions and directly subordinate election commissions should be made available to any voter, candidate, observer and media representative. The district election commissions that conducted the registration of candidates (candidate lists) send general data on the election results to the media within three days of the election. Election commissions of all levels, except the precinct, publish the full data contained in the election commissions ' respective protocols on the election results and protocols of the lower electoral commissions on the results of the voting, on the basis of which the election results were calculated in the respective election commissions. The publication is to be completed within one month of the end of the elections. Chapter IX: The responsibility for the violation of the electoral rights of citizens Article 34. Responsibility for the violation of the electoral rights of the citizens of the Russian Federation, by means of violence, deception, threat, fraud or other means of impeding the free exercise of the right to vote and to be elected by a citizen of the Russian Federation, or persons who knowingly falsely report candidates or take other actions that denigrating the honour and dignity of the candidates, or those who conduct campaigning on the day preceding the day of the election, and on election day, or obstructing work or voting at polling stations, shall be carried out Responsibility in accordance with federal laws. Chapter X. Final provisions Article 35. Entry into force of this Federal Law This Federal Law shall enter into force on the date of its official publication. Article 36. The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation is formed no later than three months from the date of the entry into force of this Federal Law. President of the Russian Federation B. Yeltsin Moscow, Kremlin 6 December 1994 N 56-FZ