MOSCOW, November 17 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's lower house of parliament adopted on a third and final reading a draft law canceling the 20% minimum threshold for election voter turnout, as well as early voting, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Friday.
The law was passed by a 346-99 vote, against a required minimum of 226, with no abstentions.
Sponsored by deputies from the United Russia, Rodina (Homeland) and Liberal Democratic (LDPR) factions, the law also punishes extremist actions during election campaigns.
In addition to provision barring persons convicted of felonies or extremist activities from running in elections, it also bars persons who have incurred administrative penalties for propagating Nazi slogans and regalia.
The State Duma Committee on Constitutional Law and State Development said earlier that the bill is designed to prevent "extremist practices" during election campaigning.
The law bans the use of commercials and appeals to vote against other candidates in election videos. The ban does not concern open debates and printed materials.
But the Russian Communist Party said the abolition of the turnout requirement will make the country's electoral system "not viable."
"That will be the final blow from the governing authorities, rendering the term 'election system' utterly meaningless," said Ivan Melnikov, deputy chairman of the Communist Party Central Committee.
He said the amendments will distort election results, making the voters themselves irrelevant.
"Under this system, the State Duma will reflect the position of 'ballot-casting individuals,' but not the will of society nor even the position of the majority," Melnikov said.
