Chapter 8. INFORMATION OF VOTERS AND ELECTION CAMPAIGNING

Article 50. Informational Support of Election of Deputies of the State Duma

The informational support of the election of deputies of the State Duma shall include voter information and election campaigning conducive to conscious expression of voters' will and election transparency.

Article 51. Information of Voters

1. Information of voters shall be carried out by bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, election commissions, mass media organizations, legal entities and natural persons in accordance with this Federal Law, Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.” Bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government shall not inform voters about political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates or candidates included in such lists.

2. Informational materials carried by the mass media or otherwise disseminated shall be objective and accurate and shall not violate the equality of political parties as established by this Federal Law.

3. Mass media organizations shall be free in their activity aimed at the information of voters carried out in accordance with this Federal Law and the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of the Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.”

4. In TV and radio news programs and in the publications carried by the print media information concerning election campaigning events organized by political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates shall be presented exclusively in the form of separate news items, without any comments. Such informational items shall not be paid for by political parties or candidates. They shall not give preference to any political party, shall not discriminate (infringe the rights of) any political party, in particular with regard to the length of coverage of the party’s election campaigning events or amount of space allocated to such items in the print media.

5. Journalists, other creative workers and officials of a mass media organization who are engaged (or have been engaged) in the activity aimed at the informational support of the election of deputies of the State Duma in accordance with the electoral laws of the Russian Federation may not be fired by the employer and may not be transferred without their consent to other jobs during the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma and during one year thereafter, unless a disciplinary action was taken against them in accordance with the labor laws of the Russian Federation, provided that this action was not appealed to a court or was declared lawful and appropriate by a court.

6. On voting day, before the end of voting, no information about results of the election of deputies of the State Duma shall be published (made public) and no such information shall be placed in the public information-telecommunications networks (including the Internet) before voting ends on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Article 52. Participation of Election Commissions in Informational Support of the Election of Deputies of the State Duma

1. Election commissions shall carry out information of voters, including through the mass media, about the preparation and conduct of the elections, the periods and procedures for the performance of electoral actions, the political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates, the candidates, the electoral legislation of the Russian Federation.

2. In the period between the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma and the day of the official publication of election results the national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall, every week, provide a minimum of 15 minutes of free air time to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, and the regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall, every week, provide a minimum of 10 minutes of free air time to the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation, on each of their channels for the purposes set forth in Part 1 of this article and for answering questions of citizens. For the same purposes the national TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall, every week, provide the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with a minimum of 10 minutes of free air time on each of their channels during the period starting 90 days before the expiry of the period within which the elections are to be called and ending on the day of the official publication of the decision to call the elections.

3. During the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma, the national state print media outlets published at least once a week shall provide the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with a minimum of 1 percent of their weekly print space free of charge. During the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma the regional state print media outlets published at least once a week shall provide the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation with a minimum of 1 per cent of their weekly print space free of charge. These election commissions shall use such print space for the purposes set forth in Part 1 of this article and for answering questions of citizens.

Article 53. Publication of Opinion Poll Results

1. Publication of the results of opinion polls related to the election of deputies of the State Duma shall constitute a form of voter information.

2. When publishing (making public) the results of opinion polls related to the election of deputies of the State Duma the mass media, citizens and organizations announcing such results shall indicate the organization which conducted the poll, the time when it was conducted, the number of respondents (sample size), how the information was gathered, the region where the poll was conducted, the precise wording of the question, the statistical assessment of a possible error and the person (persons) who ordered the poll and paid for the publication of its results.

3. For five days before voting day and on voting day it shall be prohibited to publish (make public) the results of public polls, forecasts of the outcome of the election of deputies of the State Duma or other studies related to the elections, in particular in the public information-telecommunications networks (including the Internet).

Article 54. TV and Radio Broadcasting Organizations and Print Media Used for Informational Support of the Election of Deputies of the State Duma

1. The informational support of the election of deputies of the State Duma shall be provided by the state, municipal and non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media.

2. In this Federal Law “state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media” means TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media which are founded (co-founded) or the editorial boards of which are founded (co-founded) by state bodies and organizations as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma, and/or which received state support in the form of subsidies and/or subventions for their functioning from the federal budget or the budget of a subject of the Russian Federation during the year preceding the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election, and/or which have a charter (pool) capital in which the Russian Federation or a subject (subjects) of the Russian Federation has (have) a stake (contribution) as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the elections.

3. In this Federal Law “municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media” means TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media which are founded (co-founded) or whose editorial boards are founded (co-founded) by bodies of local self-government and municipal organizations as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma, and/or which received municipal support in the form of subsidies and/or subventions for their functioning from the local budget during the year preceding the day of the official publication of the decision to call the elections, and/or which have a charter (pool) capital in which a municipality (municipalities) has (have) a stake (contribution) as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the elections.

4. In this Federal Law “non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media” means TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media which do not fall within Parts 2 and 3 of this article.

5. In this Federal Law, depending on territory of the distribution of information, TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media are divided into:

(1) national TV and radio broadcasting organizations, i.e. TV and radio broadcasting organizations which have a broadcasting license covering the territory of a half or more than a half of the subjects of the Russian Federation and TV and radio broadcasting organizations producing mass information (TV and radio programs) distributed on a contractual basis by other TV and radio broadcasting organizations on the territory of a half or more than a half of the subjects of the Russian Federation;

(2) regional TV and radio broadcasting organizations, i.e. TV and radio broadcasting organizations which have a broadcasting license covering the territory of less than a half of the subjects of the Russian Federation and the relevant divisions of TV and radio broadcasting organizations indicated in Paragraph 1 of this article;

(3) national print media, i.e. media outlets registered for distribution in a half or more than a half of the subjects of the Russian Federation;

(4) regional print media, i.e. media outlets registered for distribution in less than a half of the subjects of the Russian Federation.

6. Print media outlets founded by bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government exclusively for the publication of their official materials and reports, regulations and other acts shall not publish any election propaganda materials or editorial articles covering the activity of political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates and of candidates.

7. The list of national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and national state print media shall be published by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation on the basis of the information submitted by the federal body of executive power authorized to perform registration of mass media outlets, within ten days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma.

8. The list of regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state print media and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and municipal print media shall be published by the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation on the basis of the information submitted by the territorial agencies of the federal body of executive power authorized to perform registration of mass media outlets, within ten days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma.

9. The lists mentioned in Parts 7 and 8 of this article shall be submitted to the relevant election commissions within five days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma. These lists shall include the following information about each TV and radio broadcasting organization or print media outlet:

(1) the name of the TV and radio broadcasting organization and the relevant mass media facility or print media outlet;

(2) the legal address of the TV and radio broadcasting organization or the print media outlet;

(3) the founder (founders) of the TV and radio broadcasting organization or the founder (founders) of the editorial board of the print media outlet and of the print media outlet;

(4) the type and scope of state or municipal support (if such support was provided during the year preceding the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma);

(5) the share (stake) of the Russian Federation, subjects of Russian Federation, municipalities in the charter (pool) capital (if any) as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma;

(6) the frequency of publication of the print media outlet;

(7) the statement indicating that the TV and radio broadcasting organization or the print media outlet is a specialized entity (applicable to specialized TV and radio broadcasting organizations or print media outlets).

Article 55. Election Campaigning

1. The following shall be considered as election campaigning during the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma:

(1) calls for voting for or against a federal list of candidates, for or against a candidate (candidates);

(as amended by Federal Law No. 107-FZ of July 12, 2006)

(2) expression of preference for any political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or a candidate (candidates); in particular, statements indicating the political party, federal list of candidates, candidate (candidates) for which the voter will vote (with the exception of publication of the results of opinion polls in accordance with Part 2, Article 53 of this Federal Law);

(3) description of possible consequences of the fact that some federal lists of candidates will win the right to participate in the distribution of deputy seats;

(4) dissemination of materials with a clear emphasis on one political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or any candidate (candidates) accompanied by positive or negative comments;

(5) dissemination of information about the activities of candidates which is not related to their professional activity or performance of their official duties;

(6) activities promoting formation of a positive or negative attitude of voters towards any political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or towards any candidate (candidates).

2. Actions performed by members of the press as part of their professional activities and mentioned in Paragraph 1, Part 1 of this article shall be deemed as election campaigning if these actions are performed to encourage voters to vote for or against some federal list of candidates, for or against some candidate (candidates); actions mentioned in Paragraphs 2 - 6, Part 1 of this article shall be deemed as election campaigning, if repeatedly performed for this purpose.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 107-FZ of July 12, 2006)

3. The election campaigning may be conducted:

(1) on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media;

(2) by means of public campaigning events;

(3) by producing and distributing printed, audio-visual and other election propaganda materials;

(4) by other means which are not prohibited by this Federal Law, other federal laws.

4. Election campaigning on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media shall be conducted in the form of public debates, discussions, roundtables, press conferences, interviews, speeches, demonstration of TV stories and video films about political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates or a registered candidate (candidates) and in other forms which are not prohibited by the federal law.

5. The political party which nominated a federal list of candidates shall be entitled to determine by itself the contents, form and methods of its election campaigning, independently conduct the election campaigning and involve other persons in the election campaigning, in accordance with the procedure established by the Russian Federation laws.

6. Candidates authorized by the political party, authorized representatives and agents of the political party (hereafter also referred to as “representatives of the political party”) shall be entitled to act on behalf of such political party in the course election campaigning activities.

7. Election campaigning shall not be conducted and no election propaganda materials shall be produced and distributed by:

(1) bodies of state power, other state bodies, bodies of local self-government;

(2) persons occupying state or municipal elective offices, state or municipal officials, persons who are members of the governing bodies of organizations regardless of the form of ownership (in organizations where the highest governing body is the general meeting – members of bodies which manage the activity of these organizations), with the exception of political parties, when such persons are discharging their official duties and/or take advantage of their office and official position to conduct election campaigning;

(3) military units, military establishments and organizations;

(4) charitable and religious organizations and organizations founded by them as well as members of and participants in religious associations when they are performing rites and ceremonies;

(5) election commissions, voting members of election commissions;

(6) foreign nationals, stateless persons, foreign organizations;

(7) international organizations and international public movements;

(8) members of the press when they are engaged in their professional activities;

(9) persons in respect of whom it was established by a court decision that they violated the restrictions imposed by Clause 1, Article 56 of the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum” during the election campaign for the election of deputies of the State Duma.

(Paragraph 9 was introduced by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

8. Persons who occupy state or municipal elective offices shall be prohibited from conducting election campaigning on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media unless these persons are included in a registered federal list of candidates.

9. It shall be prohibited to involve persons, who have not attained to the age of 18 years as of voting day, in election campaigning, in particular to use the pictures and statements of such persons in election propaganda materials except as otherwise provided by Paragraph 5, Part 10 of this article.

10. Pictures of a natural person or statements of a natural person about any political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or about a candidate (candidates) may be used only with the written consent of this natural person. The document confirming such consent shall be submitted to the election commission together with copies of the election propaganda materials submitted in accordance with Part 5, Article 61 of this Federal Law. If an election campaigning material is to be aired by a TV and radio broadcasting organization or published in a print media outlet, such document shall be submitted to the election commission upon its request. This restriction shall not apply to:

(1) the use by the political party of statements made by candidates included in a federal list of candidates nominated by this political party regarding this political party or any candidate (candidates) included in the list;

(2) the use of published statements about a political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or about a candidate (candidates), which indicate the publication date (period of time) of such statements and the name of the mass media outlet where they were published. A reference in election propaganda materials to a statement of a natural person who is not entitled to conduct election campaigning under this Federal Law shall be allowed only if such statement was published before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma. Such reference shall indicate the date (period of time) when this statement was published and the name of the mass media outlet where it was published;

(3) the quotation of statements about a political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or about a candidate (candidates) published by other political parties in their election propaganda materials produced and distributed in accordance with this Federal Law.

(4) repealed by. Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007;

(5) the use by the political party which nominated a federal list of candidates of pictures of a candidate (candidates) included in this federal list of candidates, including such pictures showing the candidate with his/her spouse, children (including children who have not attained to the age of 18 years), parents and other close relatives, or with undefined persons.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ by Federal Law of April 26, 2007)

11. Election campaigning expenditures shall be paid exclusively from the electoral fund of the political party which nominated a federal list of candidates and the electoral funds of its regional branches (if any). Payment of expenditures incidental to election campaigning in favor of the federal list of candidates nominated by one political party from the electoral funds of other political parties and their regional branches shall be prohibited.

12. Not later than 20 days before voting day, the political party which registered a federal list of candidates shall publish its election program in at least one national state print media outlet, post it on the Internet and within the same period shall submit a copy of the said publication to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, indicating the URL of the site where the election program of this political party is published. Publication of such election program shall be carried out with the use of the free print space provided to the political party in accordance with this Federal Law or such publication shall be paid for from the electoral fund of the political party.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

Article 56. Campaigning Period

1. Election campaigning shall commence from the day of nomination of federal lists of candidates and end at 00:00 hours local time one day before voting day.

2. Election campaigning on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and in the print media shall be conducted in the period which begins 28 days before voting day and ends at 00:00 hours local time one day before voting day.

3. Any election campaigning shall be prohibited on voting day and a day before.

4. Printed election propaganda materials (leaflets, posters, etc.), which were earlier displayed outside the premises of election commissions and polling stations at a minimum distance of 50 meters from the entrance thereto in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law, shall remain in place on voting day.

Article 57. General Terms and Conditions for Access of Political Parties to the Mass Media

1. Air time on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations and space in the print media may be provided free of charge to political parties which registered federal lists of candidates in accordance with the procedure established by this Federal Law (free air time, free print space) except as otherwise provided by Part 2 of this article, or on a paid basis.

2. Free air time, free print space shall not be provided:

(1) to a political party which is in arrears to state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state print media as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma, in connection with the provision of free air time, free print space to this political party (election bloc which such party was a member of) during the previous election of deputies of the State Duma or the election of the President of the Russian Federation;

(2) to a political party which is a legal successor of the political party or another public association which is in arrears to state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state print media in connection with the provision of free air time, free print space to this political party or some other public association (election bloc which such party or another public association was a member of) during the previous election of deputies of the State Duma or the election of the President of the Russian Federation and which failed to repay its debt in full as of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma.

3. The political party shall not be entitled to use free air time, free print space for election campaigning in favor of other political parties.

4. State and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and state and municipal print media shall ensure equal terms and conditions of election campaigning for political parties, in particular for the presentation of their election programs to voters.

5. National state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and national state print media shall be obliged to provide air time and print space to political parties for election campaigning.

6. Regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and regional state print media shall be obliged to provide air time and print space to political parties for election campaigning by providing such air time and print space to the respective regional groups of candidates for election campaigning.

7. Municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and municipal print media may provide air time and print space to political parties for election campaigning by providing such air time and print space to the relevant regional groups of candidates. The said TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media shall provide air time and print space only on a paid basis.

8. If there is no regional group of candidates corresponding to a subject of the Russian Federation (including a subject within a group of subjects of the Russian Federation) or a part (parts) of the territory of a subject of the Russian Federation in the registered federal list of candidates, the political party which registered this federal list of candidates shall not be provided with air time and print space by the regional state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and the regional state and municipal print media in their products disseminated on the territory of the given subject of the Russian Federation, except as otherwise provided by Part 18, Article 58 and Part 10, Article 59 of this Federal Law.

9. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and non-state print media outlets registered not less than one year before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma and non-state print media founded by political parties (and their structural divisions) less than one year before the day of the official publication of the decision to call the elections may provide paid air time and print space to political parties provided that such organizations and print media outlets comply with the requirements set forth in Parts 10 and 11 of this article. Other non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations and non-state print media shall not provide air time, print space to political parties.

10. The terms of payment for the provision of air time, print space shall be the same for all political parties to which air time and print space are provided. This requirement shall not apply to the print media founded by political parties, candidates. In this Federal Law “the print media founded by a candidate (candidates)” means the print media founded not less than one year before the day of official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma by a citizen (citizens) of the Russian Federation who participates (participate) in the election of deputies of the State Duma as a candidate (candidates).

11. Information about the amount of the payment (in the currency of the Russian Federation) for air time, print space and about other payment terms shall be published by the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization, print media outlet within 30 days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma. Within the same period this information and a notice of readiness to provide air time, print space to political parties shall be submitted to:

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

(1) the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation – by the national TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media;

(2) the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation – by the relevant regional and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and regional and municipal print media.

12. TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets, regardless of the form of ownership, which provided air time, print space to political parties shall keep separate records of the amount and cost thereof according to the accounting forms established by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation. Within ten days of voting day the data of these records shall be submitted to:

(1) the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation – by the national TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media;

(2) the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation – by the relevant regional and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and regional and municipal print media.

13. TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media outlets regardless of the form of ownership which provided air time, print space to political parties shall, upon the request of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, and regional and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and regional and municipal print media outlets included in the list of the aforementioned TV and radio broadcasting organizations and print media, upon the request of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, shall provide documents confirming the consent of the authorized representative of the political party for financial matters (authorized representative of the political party’s regional branch for financial matters) for the performance of work and provision of services on a paid basis.

14. Non-state and municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations and non-state print media, specialized TV and radio broadcasting organizations and specialized print media and state print media outlets published less frequently than once a week may refuse to provide air time, print space for election campaigning. Such refusal shall be expressed by the failure to submit the notice mentioned in Part 11 of this article within the established period.

15. Air time or print space for election campaigning shall be provided under a written contract concluded between the TV and radio broadcasting organization or print media outlet and the political party or the political party's regional branch before such air time or free print space is provided. When concluding the contract for provision of free air time or print space the political party shall assume responsibility for the repayment of any debts that may arise in cases provided by Article 69 of this Federal Law, with the indication of the amount of such debt as calculated on the basis of the data published in accordance with Part 11 of this article.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

16. Mass media organizations shall keep the accounting documents mentioned in Parts 12, 13 and 15 of this article relating to the provision of free and paid air time and free and paid print space for a minimum of three years from voting day.

Article 58. Terms and Conditions for Election Campaigning on Television and Radio

1. The total amount of free air time to be provided for election campaigning by each national state TV and radio broadcasting organization on each of its channels to political parties which registered federal lists of candidates shall be not less than one hour on business days within the period established by Part 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law. The total amount of free air time to be provided for election campaigning by each regional state TV and radio broadcasting organization on each of its channels shall be not less than 30 minutes on business days within the period established by Part 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law and, if the total broadcasting time of the TV and radio broadcasting organization is less than two hours a day, not less than one-fourth of its total broadcasting time.

2. Free air time shall be provided within a period to be determined by the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization, at the time when TV and radio programs attract the largest audience.

3. Free air time shall be provided for conducting discussions, roundtables or other joint campaigning events (hereinafter referred to as “joint campaigning events”) and/or for presenting election propaganda materials of political parties, regional groups of candidates. Not later than 35 days before voting day the political party, and, with regard to the air time provided by the regional state TV and radio broadcasting organization, the regional group of candidates may refuse to use free air time for joint campaigning events fully or within the amount of free air time provided for joint campaigning events or within the amount of free air time provided for presenting election propaganda materials, by notifying the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation to this effect in writing. This refusal shall result in the appropriate reduction of the amount of free air time provided by the TV and radio broadcasting organization in accordance with Part 1 of this article except as otherwise provided by Part 4 of this article.

4. A half of the total amount of free air time shall be provided for joint campaigning events. If a political party or a regional group of candidates refuses to participate in joint campaigning events according to the procedure established by Part 3 of this article, the amount of free air time provided by the TV and radio broadcasting organization for joint campaigning events shall be reduced by the share of this air time due to this political party or regional group of candidates. Upon the written request of the political party, regional group of candidates submitted along with the notification mentioned in Part 3 of this article the said share shall be provided to the political party, regional group of candidates for presentation of election propaganda materials.

5. Participation in joint campaigning events conducted on the channel of national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations in accordance with Part 4 of this article shall be open to political parties; regional groups of candidates shall participate in joint campaigning events on the channels of regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations. If the territory of a subject of the Russian Federation is divided into parts to which relevant regional groups of candidates correspond, the amount of air time shall be calculated and allocated separately for each part of the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation. Regional groups of candidates corresponding to a group of territories of a subject of the Russian Federation or to a subject of the Russian Federation (including a subject within a group of subjects of the Russian Federation) shall receive air time provided for each relevant part of the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation, on the same terms and conditions as regional groups of candidates corresponding to this part of the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation. If any of the territories of a subject of the Russian Federation is not included in the territory to which any regional group of candidates corresponds, the political party which nominated the relevant federal list of candidates shall not receive air time allocated for this part of the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation.

6. The dates and time when joint campaigning events are to be aired on the channels of the national and regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall be determined by lot, as provided by Part 11 of this article.

7. The political party or the regional group of candidates may refuse to participate in a joint campaigning event after lot-drawing not later than five days before the joint campaigning event is to go on the air or, if the joint campaigning event takes place less than five days from the day of lot-drawing – on the lot-drawing day, by notifying the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization of its decision in writing. In this case the share of air time due to this political party or regional group of candidates shall be provided for the presentation of their election propaganda materials, except as otherwise provided by Part 8 of this article.

8. If the number of participants in a joint campaigning event decreases to less than two as a result of the refusal to participate in the event expressed in accordance with the procedure established by Part 7 of this article, the amount of air time which each political party or each regional group of candidates may obtain as a result of such refusal for presenting their election propaganda materials shall be reduced by half.

9. If a political party or a regional group of candidates refuses to participate in a joint campaigning event after expiry of the period specified in Part 7 of this article, in particular, when only one of the participants can participate in the event as a result of such refusal, the air time provided for such joint campaigning event shall not be reduced.

10. Free air time provided for the presentation of election propaganda materials of political parties, regional groups of candidates shall be distributed between all political parties, all regional groups of candidates in equal parts, disregarding the shares due under Part 4 of this article to the political parties, regional groups of candidates which refused to participate in joint campaigning events.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

11. For the purposes of distribution of free air time provided for joint campaigning events and presenting election propaganda materials the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation shall conduct lot drawing upon completion of the registration of federal lists of candidates but not later than 30 days before voting day. Lot-drawing may be witnessed by the persons mentioned in Part 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law. Lot-drawing conducted by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation with participation of the representatives of national state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall be used to determine the dates and time when joint campaigning events and election propaganda materials of political parties are to go on the air. Lot-drawing conducted by the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation with participation of the representatives of regional state TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall be used to determine the dates and time when joint campaigning events and election propaganda materials of regional groups of candidates are to go on the air. The results of lot-drawing shall be recorded in a protocol.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

12. A schedule of the distribution of free air time shall be drawn up on the basis of the protocol mentioned in Part 11 of this article and such schedule shall be published by the national and regional state print media.

13. State TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall reserve paid air time for election campaigning conducted by political parties and regional groups of candidates. The total amount of paid air time to be reserved by each TV and radio broadcasting organization shall not be less than the total amount of free air time to be provided in accordance with Part 1 of this article and shall not exceed this amount by more than two times.

14. Each political party, regional group of candidates shall be entitled, for a charge, to receive a part of air time from the total amount of the reserved air time within the share calculated by dividing the said amount by the total number of political parties or the total number of regional groups of candidates.

15. Paid air time shall be provided by the state TV and radio broadcasting organizations in the period established by Part 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law. The dates and time when joint campaigning events, election propaganda materials are to go on the air shall be determined by lot, with the lot-drawing to be conducted by the TV and radio broadcasting organization with participation of interested persons, on the basis of written applications for participation in lot-drawing submitted by the authorized representatives of political parties. Lot-drawing shall be conducted within the period established by Part 11 of this article.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

16. Municipal TV and radio broadcasting organizations which comply with the requirements set forth in Part 9, Article 57 of this Federal Law shall provide air time for election campaigning to regional groups of candidates on a paid basis. The total amount of paid air time to be provided shall be determined by the municipal TV and radio broadcasting organization. The dates and time when joint campaigning events and/or election propaganda materials of each regional group of candidates are to go on the air shall be determined by lot, with lot-drawing to be conducted by the municipal TV and radio broadcasting organization with participation of interested persons on the basis of written applications for participation in lot-drawing submitted by the authorized representatives of political parties. Lot-drawing shall be conducted within the period established by Part 11 of this article.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

17. If a political party, regional group of candidates refuse to use paid or free air time provided to them for election campaigning, they shall notify the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization to this effect in writing not later than five days before they are to go on the air, or, if they are to go on the air less than five days from the day of lot-drawing, on the day of lot-drawing, and the TV and radio broadcasting organization shall be entitled to use the released air time at its discretion.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

18. If, after distribution of paid air time in accordance with Part 15 and 16 of this article or because a political party, regional group of candidates refuses to use the provided air time in accordance with Part 17 of this article, some air time remains unallocated, it may be provided on a paid basis to political parties applying for such air time. The remaining air time shall be distributed between the said political parties on equal terms and conditions by means of lot-drawing.

19. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations which complied with the provisions of Part 11, Article 57 of this Federal Law shall be obliged to provide air time to political parties for election campaigning on equal terms and conditions. Non-state TV and radio broadcasting organizations which do not comply with this requirement or failed to comply with the provisions of Part 11, Article 57 of this Federal Law shall not be entitled to provide air time to political parties for election campaigning.

20. The contract for provision of paid air time shall specify the following terms and conditions: the type (form) of election campaigning; the date and time when the propaganda material is to go on the air; the length of the provided air time; the amount payable for the air time and the payment procedure; the forms and conditions of the participation of the journalist (moderator) in the TV or radio program. Upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the contract, a services provision certificate and an air time utilization report shall be executed to confirm that the contractual obligations have been fulfilled, with the indication of the name of the channel, the name of the program and the airing time.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

21. The payment document ordering the transfer of the full payment for the air time shall be submitted by the authorized representative of a political party for financial matters, the authorized representative of a political party's regional branch for financial matters to a branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation not later than two days before provision of the air time. A copy of the payment document endorsed by the branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation shall be submitted by the authorized representative of a political party for financial matters, the authorized representative of a political party's regional branch for financial matters to the TV and radio broadcasting organization before the provision of the air time. No air time shall be provided if this requirement is not met.

22. The branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation shall remit the payment not later than the banking day following the day of receipt of the payment document. The period for processing a non-cash payment shall not exceed two banking days within the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation and five banking days within the territory of the Russian Federation.

23. If, while using paid air time, the political party or the regional group of candidates violates the terms and conditions established by this Federal Law, the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization shall be entitled to apply to a court for cancellation of the contract for provision of air time.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

24. Transmission of election propaganda materials or joint campaigning events shall not be interrupted, in particular, by commercials advertising goods and services.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

25. Transmission of election propaganda materials or joint campaigning events on the channels of TV and radio broadcasting organizations shall not be interrupted for transmission of other TV and radio programs, other propaganda materials.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

26. Video and audio recordings of TV and radio programs containing election propaganda materials shall be kept by the relevant TV and radio broadcasting organization for not less than 12 months from the day of the official publication of the results of the election of deputies of the State Duma.

Article 59. Terms and Conditions for Election Campaigning in the Print Media

1. Political parties which registered a federal list of candidates and regional groups of candidates shall be entitled to free print space in, respectively, national state print media outlets and regional state print media outlets which are published at least once a week, on the following conditions: equal amount of the provided print space; the same place on the page; the same font size; and other equal conditions.

2. The total minimum weekly amount of free print space which each state print media outlet is to provide to political parties or regional groups of candidates according to Part 1 of this article shall be not less than 10 percent of the total amount of the weekly print space of the relevant print media outlet within the period established by Part 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law. The information about the total amount of free print space which the state print media outlet provides for election campaigning shall be published by the print media outlet within 30 days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma.

3. The total amount of free print space which the state print media outlet provides for election campaigning shall be distributed between political parties, regional groups of candidates by dividing the said amount by the total number of political parties, regional groups of candidates entitled to free print space in such print media.

4. Upon completion of the registration of federal lists of candidates but not later than 30 days before voting day the state print media outlet together with interested persons shall conduct lot-drawing to distribute free print space between all political parties or regional groups of candidates and determine the dates for publication of election propaganda materials. The lot-drawing may be witnessed by members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation and persons mentioned in Part 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law. The results of lot-drawing shall be recorded in a protocol. Print space shall be provided on the basis of a contract concluded after lot-drawing.

5. The state print media outlets published not less frequently than once a week shall reserve print space for publishing election propaganda materials of political parties or regional groups of candidates. The total amount of paid print space to be reserved by a print media outlet shall not be less than the total amount of free print space to be provided in accordance with Part 2 of this article but shall not exceed this amount by more than two times.

6. Each political party and regional group of candidates shall be entitled to paid print space from the total amount of the reserved print space, within a part of such print space calculated by dividing the total amount of the reserved print space by the total number of political parties or the total number of regional groups of candidates.

7. Paid print space shall be provided by the state print media within the period established by Part 2, Article 56 of this Federal Law. The date of publication of election propaganda materials shall be determined by lot-drawing conducted by the print media outlet together with interested persons on the basis of written applications for participation in lot-drawing submitted by the authorized representatives of political parties. Lot-drawing shall be conducted within the period established by Part 4 of this article and may be witnessed by members of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, the election commission of a subject of the Russian Federation and persons mentioned in Part 1, Article 29 of this Federal Law. The results of lot- drawing shall be recorded in a protocol.

8. Municipal print media outlets and state print media outlets published less frequently than once a week, which complied with the provisions of Part 11, Article 57 of this Federal Law, shall provide paid print space for election campaigning to regional groups of candidates. The total amount of paid print space to be provided for election campaigning shall be determined by the editorial boards of the print media outlets. The dates of publication of election propaganda materials shall be determined by lot-drawing to be conducted by such print media together with interested persons on the basis of written applications for participation in the lot-drawing submitted by the authorized representatives of political parties. Lot-drawing shall be conducted within the period established by Part 4 of this article.

9. If a political party, regional group of candidates refuses to use paid print space or free print space provided to them for election campaigning, they shall, not later than five days before publication of the election propaganda material, serve written notice to this effect on the relevant print media which shall be entitled to use the released print space at its discretion.

10. If, after distribution of paid print space in accordance with 7 or 8 of this article or because a political party, regional group of candidates refuses to use the provided print space in accordance with Part 9 of this article, some print space remains undistributed, it may be provided on a paid basis to political parties applying for such print space. The remaining print space shall be distributed between the said political parties on equal terms and conditions by means of lot-drawing.

11. Non-state print media outlets which complied with the provisions of Part 11, Article 57 of this Federal Law shall provide print space to political parties for election campaigning on equal payment terms. These outlets may refuse to provide print space for election campaigning. Non-state print media outlets which failed to comply with the provisions of Part 11, Article 57 of this Federal Law shall not be entitled to provide print space for election campaigning to political parties.

12. The payment document ordering transfer of the full payment for the print space shall be submitted by the authorized representative of a political party for financial matters, the authorized representative of a political party's regional branch for financial matters to a branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation not later than two days before publication of the election propaganda material. A copy of the payment document endorsed by the branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation shall be submitted by the authorized representative of a political party for financial matters, the authorized representative of a political party's regional branch for financial matters to the print media outlet before provision of the print space. No print space shall be provided if this requirement is not met.

13. The branch of the Savings Bank of the Russian Federation shall remit the payment not later than the banking day following the day of receipt of the payment document. The period for processing a non-cash payment shall not exceed two banking days within the territory of the subject of the Russian Federation and five banking days within the territory of the Russian Federation.

14. Election propaganda materials published in accordance with this article shall not be accompanied by any forms of editorial comment, by headings and illustrations which are not agreed upon with the relevant political party.

15. The print media which publish election propaganda materials shall not give preference to any political party which registered a federal list of candidates by changing the circulation and publication frequency of the print media outlet. This requirement shall not apply to print media outlets founded by political parties or candidates.

16. All election propaganda materials published in the print media shall indicate the political party or the political party's regional branch from whose electoral fund the given publication was paid for. If election propaganda materials are published free of charge in accordance with Part 1 of this article, the publication shall indicate the political party or the regional group of candidates to which this opportunity was provided.

Article 60. Terms and Conditions for Election Campaigning by Means of Public Campaigning Events

1. State bodies and bodies of local self-government shall assist political parties which registered federal lists of candidates in arranging and conducting public campaigning events.

2. Notifications of organizers of meetings, demonstrations, rallies and picketing shall be submitted and reviewed in the procedure established by the Russian Federation laws.

3. On the basis of the application of a political party which registered a federal list of candidates, premises which are suitable for holding public campaigning events in the form of meetings and which are state- or municipality-owned shall be provided in accordance with the electoral laws of the Russian Federation by the owner, possessor of the premises for the time period established by the election commission of the subject of Russian Federation, or, upon its instruction, by the territorial election commission, for meetings of the representatives of the political party with voters. Election commissions shall ensure equal conditions for holding such events for all political parties which registered federal lists of candidates.

4. If the premises mentioned in Part 3 of this article or the premises owned by an organization with a charter (pool) capital, in which the stake (contribution) of the Russian Federation, a subject of the Russian Federation or a municipality exceeds 30 percent as of the day on which the decision to call the election of deputies to the State Duma was published, were provided to one political party, the owner, possessor of the premises shall not refuse to provide the premises to other political parties on the same terms and conditions.

5. Applications for the provision of premises to hold meetings of the representatives of political parties with voters shall be reviewed by the owners, possessors of the premises mentioned in Parts 3 and 4 of this article within three days of the day of the submission thereof.

6. For conducting public campaigning events political parties which registered federal lists of candidates may rent premises and facilities owned by citizens and organizations regardless of the form of ownership.

7. No election campaigning shall be allowed on the territory of military units, in military organizations and institutions, save the case where the only building or premises suitable for holding meetings is located on the territory of a military unit or military organization or institution. Such building or premises shall be provided by the commander of the military unit for conducting meetings of the representatives of political parties which registered federal lists of candidates with voters upon the request of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation, or, on its instruction, by the territorial election commission. Meetings of the representatives of political parties which registered federal lists of candidates with voters - servicemen shall be arranged by the commander of the military unit together with the relevant election commission; the authorized representatives or agents of other political parties which registered federal lists of candidates shall be notified about the time and place of the meeting not later than three days before the day of the meeting.

8. Security at public campaigning events shall be ensured by the state bodies in accordance with the Russian Federation laws.

Article 61. Terms and Conditions for Production and Distribution of Printed, Audio-Visual and Other Election Propaganda Materials

1. Political parties which registered federal lists of candidates may freely produce and distribute printed, audio-visual and other propaganda materials in accordance with the procedure established by the Russian Federation laws. All election propaganda materials shall be produced on the territory of the Russian Federation.

2. Organizations or individual entrepreneurs providing advertising services shall ensure equal terms and conditions to political parties which registered federal lists of candidates for displaying election propaganda materials.

3. Organizations, individual entrepreneurs performing work (providing services) related to the production of election propaganda materials shall ensure equal payment terms for production of such materials for political parties which registered federal lists of candidates. Information about the rates (in the Russian Federation currency) and other terms of payment for the services of such organizations or individual entrepreneurs connected with the production of printed election propaganda materials shall be published by the relevant organization or individual entrepreneur within 30 days of the day of the official publication of the decision to call the election of deputies of the State Duma and shall be, within the same period, submitted to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the Election Commission of the subject of the Russian Federation where this organization or individual entrepreneur is registered. Organizations or individual entrepreneurs who failed to meet these requirements shall not be allowed to perform any work related to production of such materials.

4. All printed, audio-visual and other election propaganda materials shall indicate the name, legal address and taxpayer identification number of the organization (the surname, first name and patronymic of the natural person, the name of the subject of Russian Federation, district, city, other population center where the person’s place of residence is located) which/who produced these materials; the name of the organization (the surname, first name and patronymic of the natural person) which/who ordered the materials; the number of copies issued; the date of publication; the statement that the materials are paid for from the relevant electoral fund.

5. Prior to their distribution printed election propaganda materials or their copies, copies of audio-visual election propaganda materials, photos of other election propaganda materials shall be submitted by a political party which registered a federal list of candidates to the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation or the election commissions of the subjects of the Russian Federation on the territory of which such materials are to be distributed. The information concerning the location of the organization (residence address of the person) which/who produced and ordered such materials shall be submitted along with the said materials.

6. Repealed by Federal Law of No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007.

7. Propaganda materials shall not be produced without prepayment made from the relevant electoral fund or in violation of the requirements set forth in Parts 4 and 6 of this article.

8. Distribution of election propaganda materials in violation of the requirements set forth in Part 5 of this article and Part 10, Article 55 of this Federal Law shall be prohibited.

9. Not later than 30 days before voting day the bodies of local self-government shall, at the suggestion of the election commission of the subject of the Russian Federation or the territorial election commission, allocate and fit out special places for displaying printed election propaganda materials on the territory of each electoral precinct. Such places shall be convenient for voters to visit and shall be arranged so that voters could read the displayed information. The authorized representatives of political parties shall be entitled to receive from the territorial election commission a list of the places allocated for displaying such propaganda materials.

10. In cases which are not provided by Part 9 of this article printed election propaganda materials may be displayed (posted, placed) inside premises, on buildings, structures or at other sites only with the written consent of their owners, possessors (under a contract with the owners, possessors) of such premises and on the terms and conditions set by them. The said materials may by displayed free of charge at the sites owned by the state, or a municipality, or an organization with a charter (pool) capital in which the stake (contribution) of the Russian Federation, a subject of the Russian Federation or a municipality exceeds 30 percent as of the day on which the decision to call the election of deputies to the State Duma was published (on equal terms and conditions for all political parties which registered federal lists of candidates.

11. Election propaganda materials shall not be placed (posted, displayed) on monuments, obelisks, buildings, structures and inside premises which have a historical, cultural or architectural value, on the buildings where election commissions are located, inside polling stations or at a distance of less than 50 meters from the entrance thereto.

12. The provisions of this article shall not apply to election propaganda materials distributed in accordance with Articles 58 and 59 of this Federal Law.

Article 62. Restrictions on the Conduct of Election Campaigning

1. During election campaigning it shall not be allowed to violate any restrictions imposed by Clauses 1 and 1.1, Article 56 of the Federal Law “On Basic Guarantees of the Electoral Rights and the Right of Citizens of the Russian Federation to Participate in a Referendum.”

(Part 1 as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

2. While conducting election campaigning, political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates, candidates, agents of political parties, authorized representatives of political parties for financial matters, authorized representatives of regional branches of political parties for financial matters as well as other persons and organizations shall not bribe voters: give voters money, gifts and other things if they are not intended as remuneration for the performance of organizational work (collection of voter signatures, participation in election campaigning); remunerate or promise to remunerate voters, who performed the said organizational work, depending on the voting results; sell goods at reduced prices; distribute any goods other than printed materials (including illustrated materials) and badges specially produced for the election campaign free of charge; render services free of charge or at reduced rates; influence voters by promising money, securities, other material benefits (in particular depending on the voting results) and by rendering services otherwise than on the basis of the decisions of bodies of state power and bodies of local self-government taken in accordance with the Russian Federation laws.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

3. During the election campaign period, it shall not be allowed to organize lotteries or other risk-based games in which prizes or participation in winning prizes depends on voting results, election outcome or which are otherwise connected with the election of deputies of the State Duma.

4. During the election campaign period the materials containing the surname or picture of a candidate, which advertise the commercial or any other activities unrelated to the election of deputies of the State Duma, and advertisements which contain the name, emblem or other symbols of a political party which nominated a federal list of candidates shall be paid for only from the electoral fund of such political party. No such advertisements, even if paid for from the electoral fund shall be allowed on voting day and on the day preceding voting day.

5. Political parties which nominated federal lists of candidates, candidates, agents of political parties, authorized representatives of political parties, including representatives for financial matters, authorized representatives of regional branches of political parties for financial matters as well as the organizations registered after the commencement of the election campaign, which are founded, owned, possessed by or have as members of their governing bodies (in organizations where the highest governing body is the general meeting – as members of bodies which manage the activity of these organizations) the said persons and/or political parties shall not carry out any charitable activities during the election campaign. During the election campaign period other individuals and legal entities may not carry out any charitable activities upon the request, on the instructions or on behalf of the said political parties, candidates, their agents and authorized representatives and shall not conduct election campaigning simultaneously with charitable activities. The said political parties, candidates, their agents and authorized representatives shall be prohibited from asking other natural persons and legal entities to render material or financial assistance or services to voters.

5.1. Propaganda materials shall not contain commercial advertising.

(Part 5.1 was introduced by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

5.2. Political parties which nominated a federal list of candidates shall not use the air time, provided to them on the channels of broadcasting organizations for presenting their propaganda materials, for the following purposes:

(1) to call for voting against any federal list of candidates (federal lists of candidates);

(2) to describe possible negative consequences if some federal list of candidates wins the right to participate in the distribution of deputy seats or some candidate (candidates) included in a federal list of candidates is (are) elected;

(3) to disseminate information with a clear emphasis on some political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or on a candidate (candidates) included in a federal list of candidates, accompanied by negative comments;

(4) to disseminate information conducive to the formation of a negative attitude of voters towards any political party which nominated a federal list of candidates or any candidate (candidates) included in a federal list of candidates;

(Part 5.2 was introduced by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

6. If mass media organizations publish (make public) propaganda or informational materials (including such materials containing true information) which may damage the honor, dignity or business reputation of a candidate or the business reputation of any political party which nominated a federal list of candidates, these organizations shall provide the candidate or the political party with a possibility to publish (make public), free of charge, a denial or some other explanation in defense of their honor, dignity or business reputation before the end of the campaigning period. In order to make public the said denial or some other explanation the candidate, political party shall be provided with air time at the same time of the day at which the initial information was aired; the amount of such air time shall not be less than the amount of the air time allocated for airing the initial information, and, in any case, it shall not be less than two minutes. When the denial or some other explanation is to be published, its text shall be printed in the same font, placed in the same part of the page and the amount of print space allocated to it shall not be less than the amount of print space allocated to the text refuted by the denial. The failure to provide a candidate, a political party with a possibility to publish (make public) the denial or some other explanation before the end of the campaigning period may serve as a ground for bringing the mass media organizations, their officials and other persons to responsibility in compliance with the Russian Federation laws. The requirements set forth in this paragraph shall not apply to the presentation of propaganda materials by political parties when they use free and paid air time, free and paid print space in accordance with this Federal Law.

(as amended by Federal Law No. 64-FZ of April 26, 2007)

7. Election commissions shall exercise control over the compliance with the procedures established for election campaigning and take measures to eliminate their violations. If false printed, audio-visual and other election propaganda materials are disseminated or if election propaganda materials are disseminated in violation of the requirements set forth in Parts 4 - 8, 10 and 11, Article 61 of this Federal Law, or if any TV and radio broadcasting organization or any print media outlet fails to comply with the election campaigning procedures established by this Federal Law, the relevant election commission shall be obliged to apply to the law enforcement bodies, a court of law, the body of executive power charged with the performance of control and supervision functions in the sphere of mass communications and ask them to stop unlawful propaganda activities, seize unlawful election propaganda materials and bring the TV and radio broadcasting organization or the print media outlet, their officials and other persons to responsibility in accordance with the Russian Federation laws.

8. The law enforcement and other bodies shall be obliged to take measures to stop unlawful propaganda activities, prevent production of false and unlawful election propaganda materials and seize such materials. They shall identify the producers of the said materials and the source from which they are paid for and promptly inform the relevant election commission about the facts established and measures taken.