Many Russian voters appeared confused by the choices they were expected to make on election day. Casting five ballots at once (for the constitutional referendum, Federation Council, two votes for the State Duma, and local representatives) provided the average voter with an unfamiliar array of choices for which he was unprepared. Voters often demanded further information on individual candidates or party programs from polling officials and in some cases even asked international observers for advice on how to vote. Virtually the entire election campaign in Russia was run on national television. With the exception of the initial period of signature collection required to get parties and candidates on the ballot, little activity took place at the local level. Observers noted few campaign posters and hardly any meetings or popular demonstrations in support of parties or individual candidates. The development of a multi-party system in Russia, including thirteen very different national parties registered for this election, is remarkable when seen against the background of the country's recent past. That a multiplicity of choices were presented to the Russian voter just two years after the collapse of one-party rule is a testament to the universal attraction of democracy, even in societies with little or no democratic traditions. In this context, the ODIHR wishes to note that it was particularly impressed with the speedy development of a network of domestic, party-affiliated poll watchers that international observers encountered throughout the country. Such grass-roots political organisation is critical to the continued growth of pluralistic institutions in new democracies. The ODIHR encourages such organisations to continue their work, and hopes that independent, non-partisan networks will develop as well. ELECTION RESULTS - RUSSIAN STATE DUMA (LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT) Party % Votes Cast Seats Constituencies Total Russia's Choice 15.38 40 30 70 Liberal Democrats 22.79 59 5 64 Communists 12.35 32 16 48 Agrarian 7.90 21 12 33 Yavlinsky Bloc 7.83 20 3 23 Civic Union 1.92 -0 1 1 Democrats 5.50 14 - 14 Dignity & Charity 0.70 0 2 2 Russian Unity & Accord 6.76 18 1 19 Women of Russia 8.10 21 2 23 Russian Movement for Democratic Reforms 4.06 0 4 4 Parties Not Listed - - 14 14 Independents 4.06 0 129 129 CSCE ODIHR BULLETIN Vol. 2, No. 1 22