Russia kicks off 'day of silence' ahead of general elections

Russia kicks off 'day of silence' ahead of general elections

2011-12-04 02:36:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- Russia on Saturday began its so-called 'day of silence' as the country prepares to hold parliamentary elections on Sunday, local media reported.

The so-called 'day of silence' is held to prevent any political pressure on voters as no active campaigning by any of the candidates is allowed during the period. Polling and political advertisements in the media are also prohibited prior to Sunday's polls.

Current Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is leading the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, which has dominated parliament, RIA Novosti reported, noting that all of Russia's seven registered political parties will participate in Sunday's polls.

The first polling stations will be opening Sunday morning at 8 a.m. local time in Kamchatka and Chukotka regions in Russia's Far East. In total, some 96,000 polling booths have been set up across the country.

Russia's elections will be additionally supervised by 650 international observers in order to ensure a fair and transparent election.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-04