MOSCOW, May 18. On May 18, the State Duma will consider in the third, last reading, two bills establishing the procedure for holding elections under martial law, amendments to these drafts, among other things, allow the regions to recall senators from the Federation Council ahead of schedule.
Amendments are planned to be made to the law on basic guarantees of electoral rights, as well as to the law on martial law.
In accordance with the text of the amendments adopted in the second reading, the highest official of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation on whose territory martial law is in force has the right not earlier than 130 days and not later than 90 days before voting day to send a proposal to the CEC of the Russian Federation to hold elections, referendum on the territory of the respective subject.
The Central Election Commission, no later than five days from the date of receipt of the proposal, shall hold consultations with the federal executive body responsible for the development and implementation of state policy, legal regulation in the field of defense, and the federal executive body in the field of security, following the results of consultations, the CEC decides on the appointment of the relevant elections (including with the possibility of reducing the timing of electoral actions), a referendum or on the rejection of the proposal of the head of the region, the amendments also say.
After the decision is made, the CEC immediately informs the President of the Russian Federation about it, the text of the amendments also says. It also notes that if the decision on elections is rejected, the head of the region is informed. If the security situation in a constituent entity of the Russian Federation changes, the campaign is resumed.
The Committee also recommended to adopt an amendment on the holding of elections when such a decision is made by the CEC in the law on martial law.
Paragraph 4 of Article 7 of the law on martial law is supposed to be supplemented (on the territory where martial law has been introduced, referendums and elections to state authorities and local self-government bodies are not held) with the words «if the decision on their appointment is made by the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation based on the results of consultations with the federal executive body exercising the functions of developing and implementing state policy, legal regulation in the field of defense, and the federal executive body in the field of security in the manner determined by federal law.
In addition, it is proposed to supplement it with the following sentence: «In these cases, elections, referendums to state authorities and local self-government bodies can be held both on the entire territory where martial law has been introduced, and on part of such territory.»
It is also planned to consider amendments that provide for punishment in the form of administrative detention for up to 30 days in case of violation of the prohibitions established by decrees of the President of the Russian Federation in the territory where martial law has been introduced.
«Administrative detention in the manner prescribed by federal law for up to 30 days in case of violation of prohibitions and restrictions established by decrees of the President of the Russian Federation in the territory where martial law has been introduced,» the text of the amendment reads.
The amendments also provide for the forced and controlled movement of citizens from the territory where martial law has been introduced to territories where martial law has not been introduced.
Early recall of a senatorIn addition, the Duma approved an amendment on the possibility of early recall of a senator of the Russian Federation — a representative of the subject from office on the proposal of the governor.
«A senator of the Russian Federation — a representative of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation may be recalled before the expiration of the term of office by a decision of the Federation Council on the proposal of a public authority of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation that has decided to empower him as a senator of the Russian Federation,» the text says. approved amendment.