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(s)Elections See other (s)Elections Articles Title: Russian State Duma, Regional and Local Elections Russian State Duma, Regional and Local Elections by Stephen Lendman Independent monitors call Russian elections open, free and fair - mocking Americas money- controlled farcical process, fantasy democracy for its privileged few alone, duopoly power winning every time before polls open, voters having no say over how theyre governed. On Sunday, September 18, Russians will elected 450 State Duma lower house members, along with numerous regional and municipal officials in 39 nationwide regions. Thousands of polling stations opened at 8:00AM, remaining open until 8:00PM. RT International explained voting will go on for 22 hours because of Russias vast territory - from the Western Kaliningrad Oblast to the Far East Pacific. State Duma representatives are elected under a split system - 225 by party membership, the other 225 representing one-seat constituencies. More than 111 million Russians are eligible to vote, no minimal turnout required. Voters have 14 parties to choose from - vastly different from Americas one-party rule with two right wings, independents virtually shut out. Parties competing include United Russia, the Communist Party of Russia, the Liberal Democratic Party, A Just Russia, Russias Patriots, Civil Platform, the Green Party, the Party of Growth, Parnas, Civil Power, Russias Communists, Yabloko, Rodina, and the Russian Party of Pensioners for Justice. A 5% electoral threshold is required to qualify for holding any Duma seats. Over 103,000 candidates are competing at the federal, regional and municipal levels. Any citizen aged 18 or over may vote including expats living temporarily or permanently abroad, prisoners and legally incapable people excluded. RT explained voting in remote regions began before polls opened nationwide because election committees need extra time and effort to arrive at their stations. A follow-up article will report on results when theyre known. Vladimir Putins United Russia Party is expected to remain most popular. In December 2011 elections, it won 49.67% of the votes - far ahead of other parties, the Communist Party finishing second with 19.15% electorate support. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top Page Up Full Thread Page Down Bottom/Latest
#1. To: Stephen Lendman (#0)
I wonder how the Russians are dealing with the drop in oil prices? You know that Russia depends on the income from oil revenues in order to fund its various projects. But, seeing as the Russians have recently kicked out the Rothschild banksters from their midst, they will no longer be able to fund unlimited amounts like is done in the U.S. with the corrupt Federal Reserve. We shall see what is up the sleeves of the internationalists now. ;) "When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one." Edmund Burke
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