Election Commissions of the Subjects of the Russian Federation

Election Commissions of the Subjects of the Russian Federation (ECsRF) are supreme bodies of election organization at the regional level. They perform several functions within the region, including budget allocation, technical organization of elections, consideration of complaints against lower-level commissions, approval of the list of territorial electoral commissions (TECs) and appointment of their members, as well as administration and registration of voter lists.

An Election Commission of the Subjects of the Russian Federation (ECsRF) consists of commissioners with a decisive vote. The number of commission members ranges from 10 to 14 individuals. Half of the commission members is appointed by the regional parliament, the other half by the governor of the region. Among the members appointed by the governor there must be at least one individual recommended by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation (CEC). The same rule concerns the members appointed by and the parliament. Also in each case half of the members approved is formed based on proposals from political parties represented in the State Duma or the regional parliament. Additionally, candidates from municipal entities and members of the previous ECsRF may be proposed to a ECsRF.

An Election Commission of the Subjects of the Russian Federation is a collegial body where decisions are made by majority vote. A commission consists of a chairperson, a deputy chairperson and a secretary. The chairperson is a key figure in the commission, responsible for leading its work. Additionally, the chairperson signs most of the documents produced during the work process of the commission.

An ECsRF is formed by the governor of the region and the regional legislative body, which is supposed to lead to a balance between parties concerned. However, today, in most regions, the United Russia dominates the regional parliament, and the governor of the region is most often either nominated by the United Russia or supported by it. This puts the members of the ECsRF in a dependent position on the party in power.