§ Article 3(untitled)

rinciples of Conducting Elections and Referenda in the Russian Federation

 1. A citizen of the Russian Federation shall participate in elections on the basis of the
universal, equal and direct electoral right by secret balloting.

 2. A citizen of the Russian Federation shall participate in a referendum on the basis of
the universal, equal and direct expression of will by secret balloting.

 3. Participation of a citizen of the Russian Federation in elections and referenda shall be
free and voluntary. No one shall compel a citizen of the Russian Federation to participate or not
to participate in elections and referenda or shall prevent free expression of his will.

 4. A citizen of the Russian Federation residing abroad shall have all electoral rights in
elections of federal bodies of state power and the full right to participate in a referendum.
Diplomatic and consular missions of the Russian Federation shall render assistance to citizens
of the Russian Federation in exercising of their electoral rights in elections of federal bodies of
state power and the right to participate in a referendum of the Russian Federation established
by this Federal Law or other federal laws.

 5. When preparing and conducting elections, a referendum, counting votes and
establishing voting results and results of elections, referendum, election commissions,
referendum commissions shall act openly and publicly.

 6. Foreign citizens, except as otherwise provided in Clause 10, Article 4 of this Federal
Law, stateless persons, foreign legal entities shall not be engaged in activities which promote or
impede the nomination of candidates (lists of candidates), election of registered candidates,
initiative to conduct a referendum and conduct of a referendum, achievement of certain results
in during elections, referendum.
(as amended by the Federal Law of July 21, 2005, No.93-FZ)
 -9- CDL-REF(2012)008

 7. Elections and referenda shall be organized and conducted by commissions.
Interference with the operation of such commissions by legislative (representative), or executive
bodies of state power, bodies of local self-government, any organizations, officials, or any other
citizens shall not be allowed.