Penza, 18 September 2016. PenzaNews. Coordinator of LDPR regional branch Alexander Vasiliev hopes that the structure of the Russian State Duma after the elections will undergo significant changes.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“I hope that the composition of the State Duma will change dramatically, new energetic people will come to take course for a stable and rapid development of the country, to present bills that will improve the lives of ordinary citizens,” he told reporters during a visit to polling station No. 19 in versatile grammar school No. 13, where he came with his wife and son.

Alexander Vasilyev added that he considered the election day an important event in his life.

“Today, I am, of course, a bit worried. It is an exciting time, it is very important,” he said.

As PenzaNews reported earlier, on September 18, in addition to the State Duma elections, the region holds by-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 Kamenka and Serdobsk areas, as well as deputy elections to the local authorities in 19 areas.

During State Duma elections each voter receives two ballots — the federal and single-mandate constituencies. In the first case one may vote for one of 14 parties registered by the CEC. In the second ballot, the voter gives preference to a particular candidate.
“Against all” box is not presented in both ballots. It was abolished in all types of elections in 2006, but then returned during municipal elections in 2014.

The elections will be considered valid with any turnout. In the Penza region it has traditionally been higher than the average in Russia. So, 13 years ago, the turnout in the region during parliamentary elections it was more than 57%, in 2007 about 70%, and in 2011 almost 65%.

According to the election committee of the Penza region, the turnout at noon — 25.3%.