Direct speech

“It is known that the first place on the ballot brings additional votes to the respective party. The principle of the draw is precisely that these inevitable advantages should be given to the parties on a random basis. Unfortunately, the results of the draws in the regional elections of 11 March 2007 clearly show that this principle is not respected. In 8 out of 14 regions (Komi Republic, Vologda, Moscow, Pskov, Samara, Tomsk and Tyumen regions, as well as St. Petersburg), the United Russia party "won" the first place in the ballot. According to mathematical calculations, the probability of obtaining such a result, taking into account the number of parties participating in the draws (from 5 to 8), with the random nature of the results of the draw (i.e., with fair draws), is only 0.00033 (or one three-thousandth). We believe that if in some regions United Russia came out on top by chance, then the result as a whole could not be achieved by honest methods. It is not surprising that in many regions "United Russia" has already joined the election campaign with a clearly pre-prepared slogan "United Russia" - the number one party. This fact seriously undermines confidence in the integrity of the elections held in the regions. Of particular concern is the fact that the noted manipulations were carried out by the election commissions, which will then sum up the results of the elections. Can we trust the official results of the elections if we cannot believe in the honesty of these commissions?! In our opinion, it is most expedient under these conditions to cancel the results of the draws and conduct new draws under the control of the CEC of the Russian Federation and the public.”

Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor at the European University at St. Petersburg, Director of the Interregional Electoral Support Network (IRENA) project Grigory Golosov, Candidate of Biological Sciences, PhD in Law, Head of the Directorate for Monitoring Election Campaigns of the Independent Institute for Elections Arkady Lyubarev, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Candidate of Law, Chairman of the Interregional Association of Voters Andrey Buzin, Candidate of Political Science, expert of the International Institute for Humanitarian and Political Studies Alexander Kynev, mathematician, member of the CEC of the Russian Federation with an advisory vote 1993-1995, 1999-2003 Oleg Kayunov.

According to news agency REGNUM, February 20, 2007

Mikhail Ivanov, Chairman of the Electoral Commission of the Pskov Region: “The election campaign is going on in accordance with the requirements of the Federal legislation and regional legislation. The election commission of the region developed and approved the calendar plan for the election campaign for the regional Assembly of Deputies. All parameters and deadlines are met. Currently, the registration of candidates has actually ended. Some of them, dissatisfied with certain decisions, data on refusal, are litigating, but this is a completely civilized method of resolving disputes. After all, elections are, first of all, a struggle. All candidates want to become deputies, so naturally they defend their interests.”

According to the official website of the Pskov region, February 21.

Leonid Trifonov, Chairman of the Pskov City Duma: “A budget is an even distribution of disappointments. The City Duma has been fighting for the city budget for five years - either by refusing to accept it, or by litigation about what the financial document should be - deficit or deficit-free.

According to the PLN, February 21.

Sergei Shoigu, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief: “I sincerely believe that every man should be good at riding, playing preference and billiards.”

According to the PLN, February 20.

Sergei Shoigu, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Disaster Relief: “I have seen enough of this endless Santa Barbara in the State Duma, where they beat each other in the face, then they pour juice, then they throw themselves at women. Therefore, I had the idea to make politics boring, the meetings of the State Duma boring, so that they would do business there.

According to the PAI, February 21.