Russia’s voting procedure is ‘quite intense,’ says CEC chief Pamfilova

MOSCOW, September 19. /TASS/. The voting procedure on the second day of the parliamentary election is ‘quite intense’ and polling stations in all 89 regions of the Russian Federation opened on time, Central Election Commission (CEC) Chair Ella Pamfilova said.

"I would like to remind you once again that the second day of voting is underway across the country. Voting is quite intense. Polling stations were opened on time and are operational in all 89 regions of the Russian Federation," she said at a news briefing.

The single voting day to elect lawmakers to the 9th Russian State Duma takes place on September 18-20. For the first time ever, residents of the recently incorporated Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye Regions, are participating in legislative elections for the lower house of the Russian parliament.

A total of ten parties are taking part in the election: United Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), the Liberal Democratic Party of the Russian Federation (LDPR), New People, A Just Russia - For Truth, the Party of Pensioners for Social Justice, the Communists of Russia, Rodina, the Party of Direct Democracy, as well as the Greens Ecological Party.

Elections for regional legislative bodies are also be held in 39 Russian constituent entities, alongside elections for regional leaders. In eight regions, the leaders will be elected directly, while in three regions, they will be chosen by the regional parliaments. A total of 23,000 seats will be filled.