In Sochi, most parties refuse to sign agreement on fair elections

The agreement stating that the Sochi branches of the parties will protect the rights of citizens and ensure democratic elections to the State Duma was signed by the leaders of four out of nine parties.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the voting within the elections to the State Duma is scheduled for September 18, a single day of voting.

The signing of the agreement "for clear and fair elections" took place on July 22. In the Krasnodar Territory, such an event was held for the first time and it was "aimed at democratic reforms." This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Konstantin Chebotar, Vice City Mayor.

Mayor Anatoly Pakhomov was invited to the event to represent the "Edinaya Rossiya" (United Russia) Party. He did not come to the meeting; however, his signature had already stood under the agreement by the beginning of the meeting. The agreement was signed by the leaders of three other local branches of the parties, including the LDPR (Liberal Democratic Party of Russia), "Spravedlivaya Rossiya" (Fair Russia) Party, and the "Party of Social Reforms".

The "Yabloko" Party, the CPRF (Communist Party of the Russian Federation), and the "Rodina" (Motherland) Party refused to sign the agreement. Their members have claimed that it is impossible to organize fair elections under the conditions of the use of administrative resource. The leaders of the branches of the "Velikoe Otechestvo" (Great Fatherland) Party and the "Party of National Security of Russia" did not come to the meeting for signing of the agreement.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.