Moscow: Russian voters may now be able to choose the option of voting “against all” political candidates when the lower house of parliament considers a bill on the option.
The “against all” option was present in ballot papers but was taken off in 2006.
The Duma — the lower house of parliament — would now consider reinstating it. Former Federation Council speaker Sergey Mironov — who currently heads the State Duma faction of the A Just Russia party — and party chairman Nikolay Levichyov have introduced a bill in the Duma to restore the option. They claimed the number of people who vote has declined.
The lack of an “against all” option reduces the level of democracy, legitimacy of those elected and limits the voting rights of citizens, A Just Russia party said in a statement.
Recent opinion polls in the country have shown that large sections of the population have no interest in politics.
Duma elections will be held in December and presidential elections will be held in March 2012. (IANS)