Penza, 17 September 2016. PenzaNews. On the eve of the upcoming elections to the State Duma in the Penza region, the election commission did not give any specific forecasts about the turnout, and stressed that it had been higher in recent years nationwide.

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“In 2011, when the last elections were held in the lower house of parliament, the voter turnout in the Penza region was 64.91%, in Russia — 60.2%. In 2007, it was 69.72% in the region, and 63.71% in the country. In 2003, the regional turnout was 57.30%, and 55.75% in Russia. But then, 13 years ago, the threshold of 50% plus one vote was set,” the regional election committee told PenzaNews, reminding that the upcoming elections will be considered valid for any percentage of voter turnout.

In addition, the office added that, traditionally the voters are especially active during federal elections: the highest voter turnout, as a rule, is registered at the presidential elections, followed by elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the governor, the Penza region Legislative Assembly and local administration.

As PenzaNews reported earlier, on September 18, 2016 in the Penza region the elections of MPs to the State Duma of the Russian Federation will be held, as well as additional elections of deputies of the Penza City Council in the 17 th and 19 th single-member districts, the election of representatives of the Assembly of Deputies in Kamenska and Serdobsk areas, and by-election of deputies to the local authorities in 19 areas.