As the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion found out, 91% of citizens know or “have heard something” about the elections to the Moscow City Duma in the 43rd electoral district (Arbat, Khamovniki and Presnensky districts). (The survey was conducted on August 15-19, among 1 thousand residents of these areas, the statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.) 34% of respondents said that they would take part in the vote, another 18% would “rather come” to the polling stations, 24% — will not go or “rather not go” to the elections. Another 22% “have not yet decided” and will decide “closer to the elections” whether they will vote. 36% of respondents are confident that the election results will be “reliable”. 32% believe that “there will be fraud on the ground,” but that it “will not affect the voting results as a whole.” And according to 22%, the results of these elections should not be trusted. The most famous candidate in the 43rd district is actor Leonid Yarmolnik (“Civic Platform”), 74% have heard of him. In second place is Vera Shastina (United Russia) - 26% know her, in third place is communist Tatyana Denisenko (known by 10%). The campaigning of these same three candidates is most often encountered by residents. If the elections were held next Sunday, 24% would vote for Leonid Yarmolnik, 10% for Vera Shastina, 3% for Tatyana Denisenko. The remaining candidates - Sergei Ivanenko (Yabloko), Arina Iksanova (A Just Russia), Yuri Kravchenko (LDPR) - are ready to support 2% of voters each. Another 12% would not go to the polls, 43% found it difficult to answer the question. 11% of district residents believe that the Moscow authorities support Leonid Yarmolnik in the elections. Another 8% think that support is given to Vera Shastina. 5% are sure that the mayor’s office does not support anyone, and 77% found it difficult to answer the sociologists’ question.

Sergey Goryashko

Newspaper "Kommersant" No. 148 dated 08.21.2014, page 2

Sociologists promise victory for Leonid Yarmolnik in the 43rd district of Moscow