Russia sets up 96,000 polling stations for December elections

MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti) - Almost 96,000 polling stations have been set up in Russia for the December 2 elections to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, the Central Election Commission said on Thursday.

"According to our information, a total of 95,698 ballot stations have so far been set up," Vladimir Churov, the chairman of the Central Election Commission, said.

The country's top election official said that an additional 354 polling stations have been registered in 141 foreign countries for Russian expatriates.

Eleven parties are set to run for the State Duma, currently dominated by pro-Kremlin United Russia. Some 350 foreign election observers will monitor the polls.