Elections - what is it? The concept, definition and types of elections. The Importance of Elections in a Democracy

On the one side, the main purpose of Parliament is to pass laws that regulate the life of the state and society. For this, party programs, business and moral character the deputies themselves, the exact alignment of forces: a blocking minority, a simple majority, or a constitutional majority.

However, it is easy to see that from this point of view upcoming elections have absolutely no meaning. Absolutely none. For quite some time now, the Duma has been adopting laws prepared exclusively in the bowels of the government and the presidential administration. The majority of deputies vote as they are told (or allowed) by the leaders of the party factions (rare exceptions do not play any role). All parties, with the exception of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and a number of individual deputies, vote in a unified way, no matter how Zhirinovsky tries to refute it in Pozner's Vremena (the majority in parliament has such a margin of safety that some deputies can sometimes easily allow them to demonstrate the independence of their positions). Real opposition to the liberal course has no chance of getting even a blocking minority in the Duma. And the imaginary opposition will always act within the limits allocated to it for this.

Generally, given party The question is of absolutely no interest. Legislative activity of Parliament is decorative and technical.

Here, for example, the deputy of the current convocation A. Krutov honestly admits: “You know, I was once a People’s Deputy of the USSR. It was a long time ago. I remember those elections, I remember the people who went to vote, went to agitate without any money. "They thought that now we will change this life, which we all are disgusted with. They believed in it. They were sincere, they went to rallies, to meetings, thousands of people gathered. And over the years, we, politicians, have deceived them, betrayed them." "When I came to the State Duma, it seemed to me that I could introduce some kind of moral principle into politics. It turned out that it was very difficult. What do I mean when I say "moral principle"? All those bills that we proposed and me, concerned the moral and spiritual spheres of our society, were never accepted. None, with the exception of a few half-hearted ones.

And even if serious disagreements suddenly appear with its new composition, it is only because, at the command of the behind-the-scenes authorities, some new political combination will be played out within the walls of the parliament, which, if any, depends on the results of the elections themselves, then purely tactically. Rather, the opposite is true - the planned and programmed results of the elections depend on what exactly is planned to be played in the future. For example, on some important personnel issue Gryzlov will be told to vote like this, but Mironov not like this, but how Zyuganov will obviously vote. As a result: fifty-fifty, after which, you stroke it, and it will be possible to stir up some kind of red-yellow revolution ...

In general, one can look for some sense from the election results only in this direction. There is no hope for good laws that the country and the people need. There is more hope for the presidential administration than for parliament. At least there is something that can really be done.

But the elections have second side, not so obvious, but in a sense, even more important. Elections very clearly show the political moods in the society, and, in turn, actively shape these moods.

For example, the failure of the Union of Right Forces and Yabloko clearly shows not so much, perhaps, the final failure of liberal democratic ideas, but the complete failure and inability of homegrown democrats to practical implementation, a complete bluff and deceit. And even the unlimited support of liberal media is not able to hide this. The failures of the national-patriotic forces also show not so much their ideological as their practical weakness and inability for political unification, all the strength of which is easily covered by the information blockade, the senselessness of playing by someone else's rules. The relatively high and stable level of support for the Communist Party of the Russian Federation shows that it is too early and it is not necessary to write off socialist ideas and sentiments. An analysis of the voting results in the Duma shows that, as a rule, single-mandate members vote better than party members, and so on. Those. based on the dynamics of changes in the support of certain candidates, certain parties, it was possible to accurately judge the change and vector of change in public sentiment. The voters themselves also, based on the overall results, where consciously - where intuitively, amended their positions.

Now that won't happen either. There will be no second component, giving at least some sense to the parliamentary elections.

The results of the current elections depend decisively on the electoral system itself. In a good way, the parliament should be formed exclusively in single-seat constituencies. Not parties about three heads, with unknown intrauterine content, we must choose, but specific people whom we know and respect. The history of Russian parliamentarism has shown that it was precisely in single-mandate districts that bright personalities, relatively independent, able to defend their opinion (including within factions) got into the Duma. And even the parties, when forming their party lists, took this into account, as a result of which such people passed, incl. and according to these same party lists.

Gradually everything changed. At first, the parties themselves began to purge those who were too obstinate, erected serious informational and financial obstacles in the way of independent candidates, then they decided to purge the Duma of single-mandate members altogether, at the same time banning associations from participating in elections and putting an insurmountable 7% barrier in the way of new parties (not to be confused with old under new names). It seems that there is also democracy, but it seems that it is no longer there ... But then what and why?

The psychology of the voter is such that he does not want to give his vote in vain, to obviously impassable (and no matter for what reasons) parties. This is what all the ratings are designed for, which are intensively exaggerated by the mass media and programming. The herd instinct and the habit of fans (of whom, as a rule, there are many among the leaders of the championship and few among outsiders) will force many of us to vote not for the party we really sympathize with, but to act by the method of elimination: I will not do it for anything, for this one - never, for this and for that there is no sense, only this one remains. And then the last question: to go or not to go...

I wanted, say, to support one good union, and after I had never seen its rating on TV, and even found out that a number of respected candidates refused to be included in its lists, I got sick of it. I don’t see the point without a rating and without a good company.

Who knows, maybe if we all, regardless of any ratings, voted for whoever we want - our candidates, our party would be in the Duma, otherwise we will never even know: how many of us are there who went to on quite reasonable compromises with conscience. Well, even if it turned out to be less than 7% of us, we would have pulled ourselves up next time, otherwise ... Would, yes, if only. This is the worst thing about new system elections - they deprive us of hopes for future elections too.

If there is any sense in the upcoming parliamentary elections, it is only that they should show their complete meaninglessness for the people and for the country. And then you have to think...
Novosibirsk city

Elections are such a democratic in nature and essence way of forming state bodies and local self-government bodies, in which the people themselves or their representatives have the opportunity to decide who to put in power and who to remove from it through the established voting procedure and selection of appropriate persons from two "Tіїіi several candidates.

The exercise by citizens of their right to choose is one of the most important forms of their participation in government.

The procedure and rules for conducting elections are usually enshrined in constitutions and other constitutional legal acts of specific states.

The objectives of the elections are:-

giving legitimacy (legality) to state and other bodies, officials; -

a change in political course (for example, the election of the left party after a long rule of the right); -

change of a specific person in power while maintaining the political course (in 1990, the leadership of the ruling Conservative Party in the UK decided to change the leader: instead of M. Thatcher, the younger J. Major was elected, who continued her policy); -

determination of guidelines for the future (nationwide elections are, as a rule, also a nationwide discussion about further development paths); -

selection of leaders (in the course of elections, the most suitable individuals for the implementation of the specified functions are brought up and nominated and unsuitable ones are eliminated); -

determination from several candidates of a specific person who will occupy public office.

Types of elections

According to the method of election, elections are divided into direct and indirect (indirect).

In terms of their scale, elections can be general, in which all the voters of the country take part or can take part, and partial, when only a part of the voters participate in them.

Based on whether only a part of the parliament or its entire composition is elected, elections are also divided into general and partial. An example of the latter can be by-elections to parliament in the event of early departure from its membership of one or more deputies.

Depending on which body is elected, elections are parliamentary and presidential.

Elections can also be statewide or local; regular, taking place within the time limits established by law, and extraordinary or early (for example, elections in the event that the previous elections are declared invalid or invalid); single-party, multi-party or non-partisan; on an alternative basis and non-alternative (if only one candidate is nominated).

Fundamental ^principles of modern choices ^kzh_]2^universality; 2) free participation of citizens in elections; 3) direct (indirect) voting; ^ equality of citizens in elections; 5) secret ballot.

1) Universal suffrage

In most modern states, the constitutional principle of the electoral system, which means the provision of active suffrage to all adult citizens of the country (excluding incapacitated persons and persons in places of deprivation of liberty), as well as passive suffrage to all citizens who satisfy additional electoral qualifications established by the constitution or laws.

Suffrage is universal unless it is limited on the basis of property, social distinctions, race, nationality or religion.

The most important role in the elections belongs to the electorate (from the Latin "elector" - voter). This concept is used in a double sense: 1) in a broad sense - all those who enjoy the right to vote in a given state and can take part in elections of the appropriate type and level; 2) in a narrower sense - that part of the voters who usually vote for a particular party, organization, movement, their representatives or this independent deputy.

The totality of people who have the right to vote in a given country constitutes its electoral corps.

Electoral qualifications (qualification) - the conditions established by the constitution or the electoral law for obtaining or exercising the right to vote. The following electoral qualifications are known to the constitutional practice of various countries:

7. Order 3210

Age limit - a requirement of the law, according to which the right to participate in elections is granted only after reaching a certain age. Currently, the voting age for active suffrage in most countries of the world is 18 years. In a number of countries, it can be somewhat higher - 21 years (Malaysia, Morocco, Bolivia, Cameroon, Botswana, Jamaica) - or lower (16 years - in Brazil and Iran, 17 years - in Indonesia).

The age limit for exercising passive suffrage differs much more widely and ranges (in elections to national representative bodies) from 18 years (Germany, Spain, Guatemala) to 40 years (in the upper house of the Italian parliament), and in elections of the head of state from 30 ( Colombia) up to 50 years (Italy).

In some countries, not only the lower, but also the upper age limit is set: for example, in a number of states (Gabon, Kazakhstan), a candidate for the presidency of the country must be no older than 65 years. The age limit is also set for candidates for the positions of judges, and in some countries for the positions of ministers.

Settlement requirement - a statutory requirement according to which the receipt by a citizen of active or passive suffrage is conditioned by the established period of residence in a given locality or country by the time of the elections.

Property qualification - the requirements of the electoral law, according to which the right to vote (active or passive) is granted only to citizens who have property of a certain value or pay taxes not lower than a given amount. In the 19th century was distributed throughout the world, is now rare, as it contradicts the principle of equality of citizens. It is preserved, for example, in Canada, where only a citizen who owns real estate worth at least $4,000 can be elected to the upper house of parliament (the Senate).

An educational qualification is a requirement of the electoral law, according to which the right to vote (active or passive) is granted only to those citizens who have a level of education stipulated by the relevant document.

The literacy qualification is one of the varieties of the educational qualification, the requirement of the electoral law, according to which a voter or candidate for elective public office must be able to read and write in the official language (or one of the official languages).

At present, the restriction of active suffrage through the qualification of literacy is quite rare (Thailand, Kuwait, Tonga). To obtain passive suffrage, the literacy requirement is still widespread, especially in developing countries (Malaysia, Kenya, Egypt, Ecuador, etc.).

Nationality qualification - a requirement of the constitution or electoral law, according to which, in order to have active or passive suffrage, one must belong to a certain nationality.

Restriction of active suffrage with the help of the qualification of nationality is practically not encountered at the present time, however, there are still cases of restriction on this basis of passive suffrage. For example, according to the Syrian Constitution of 1973, only an Arab can be the president of this state, and the Constitution of Turkmenistan of 1992 allows only a Turkmen to be elected president of the country.

However, it should be borne in mind that the constitutions of some states terminologically equate nationality with citizenship: for example, the "Basic Law" of the FRG, speaking of "Germans", means all citizens of the German state, regardless of their ethnic origin, etc.

Racial qualification - a requirement of the electoral law, according to which voting rights are granted only to citizens of a certain race. In recent decades, it has been extremely rare in world practice. The last racial qualification was abolished in South Africa in 1993.

Gender qualification - a legislative restriction of suffrage (active or passive) on the basis of gender, namely the denial of women's suffrage. In the XIX and early XX centuries. existed throughout the world. Abolished in New Zealand in 1893, in Finland in 1906, in Great Britain in 1918, in the USA in 1920, in France in 1944, in Japan in 1945, in Switzerland in 1971, in Liechtenstein in 1976

It is currently preserved in a few states, for example, in Kuwait.

"Moral qualification" - in some countries, the requirement of the electoral law, according to which in order to have active and (or) passive suffrage it is necessary "to have high moral qualities", "to lead a worthy lifestyle". Whether a potential voter or candidate satisfies the "moral qualification" is up to the discretion of the electoral authorities. It is now rare, mostly in developing countries such as Zaire.

99 Service (professional) qualification - provisions of the electoral law that restrict the electoral rights of citizens on the basis of their position, professional activity or clergy. Thus, in almost all Latin American and many African countries (for example, Cameroon, Senegal), the military, police and security forces do not have the right to vote. In Mexico, Paraguay, and Thailand, clerics are deprived of passive suffrage, etc.

The establishment of a service qualification is motivated by the fact that the nature of a number of professions is in principle incompatible with active participation in political life or with the performance of parliamentary duties.

Language qualification - a requirement according to which, in order to have voting rights, it is necessary to know the official (state) language (either one of the official languages, or all official languages) of a given state. It is widespread in a number of multinational states (sometimes in the form of a literacy qualification).

Sometimes, in addition to the general, a qualified language qualification is established. Thus, according to the Constitution of Kazakhstan of 1993, a citizen of Kazakhstan who is fluent in the state language can be elected president of the republic, while a candidate for the post of vice president is required only a simple knowledge of the state language.

Citizenship qualification means a constitutional or electoral law requirement that a voter or candidate for elected public office must possess the citizenship of a given state.

Citizenship qualification is one of the most common electoral qualifications and is applied almost all over the world. Only in some Western and Eastern European states (Spain, Finland, Hungary, etc.) is it allowed to participate in elections to local self-government bodies of persons who are not citizens of the state.

In a number of countries there is an increased (qualified) qualification of citizenship: in order to have voting rights, it is required to be a citizen of a given state for a certain period or even to be a citizen by birth. For example, according to the US Constitution, candidates for the positions of deputies of the House of Representatives of the US Congress must be US citizens for at least 7 years, and for the positions of senators - at least 9 years. Candidates for the presidency of the United States, Estonia, the Philippines, and a number of other countries must be natural-born citizens. 2)

The principle of free elections (free participation in elections) means that the voter himself decides whether to participate in the electoral process, and if so, to what extent.

During elections, such a phenomenon as absenteeism (from Latin - "absens" - absent) can be observed - in the science of constitutional law, a term meaning voluntary non-participation of voters in voting in elections or a referendum. In modern democracies, absenteeism is a widespread phenomenon: usually 20 to 40% of those who have the right to vote do not participate in the voting.

In order to overcome absenteeism and ensure greater legitimacy of elected bodies, a number of countries (for example, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, etc.) have introduced mandatory voting (mandatory vote), when non-participation in voting entails moral condemnation, a fine and even deprivation freedom. 3)

Direct suffrage - the principle of the electoral system, which involves the direct submission of a vote by a voter for a specific candidate or list of candidates. With direct suffrage, there are no special intermediaries - electors.

Indirect suffrage provides that citizens have the right to elect this or that body through representatives elected by them, who then elect the president or deputies. At the same time, two main varieties of indirect suffrage and the elections themselves are distinguished: indirect and multi-stage (multi-stage).

Indirect elections - an electoral system in which deputies of a representative body are elected by lower elective bodies or electoral colleges, which include either electors elected by the population, or deputies of lower representative bodies, or both.

Elector - a person who has the right to vote in the second (third, fourth) stage in indirect multi-stage elections. Electors are either elected only for the performance of this function (electors in the election of the President of the United States), or are such ex officio (members of municipalities in France in the election of senators).

For multi-stage, multi-stage elections, a somewhat different path is characteristic - when grass-roots representative bodies are elected directly by citizens, and then these bodies elect deputies of a higher representative body. Such a system was used in the past in the USSR, in Cuba and in a number of other countries, and today it is used in the PRC.

A part of the French Senate is formed by three-stage elections: voters vote for municipal councilors, the latter appoint delegates who elect senators.

4) Equal suffrage. Ensuring equality of suffrage is the principle of the electoral system, which implies the presence of three conditions: 1) each voter must have the same number of votes (most often one, but other options are possible. For example, in Germany, the voter is given two votes: the first is for the election of deputies by electoral district, the second - for elections to the Bundestag on the land list); 2) each deputy must represent (approximately) the same number of voters; 3) it is unacceptable to divide voters into ranks (curia) on the basis of property, nationality, religion or other grounds.

Today, elections should be considered as a procedure of state-legal significance, established by the Russian Federation law, during which individuals(citizens of a particular locality) cast their own votes for a candidate or party. As a result of such simple actions, a representative (elected) body of power is formed or a certain official, whether it be a judge or a president, takes his post (is elected). In the Russian Federation, three varieties of the presented category are relevant: regional, federal and municipal elections. It would be useful to consider them in more detail.

The concept and meaning of elections

Developing a conversation about the content, actual features and purpose of the electoral law, it is impossible not to recall the issue of the concept and classification of elections in the Russian Federation, because it is the regulation of relations that are closely related to their preliminary preparation and subsequent conduct that represents the main meaning of the standards that form considered branch of constitutional law. Starting point in understanding the concept of elections, as well as their political and legal nature, the provisions of the current Constitution of the Russian Federation are considered. So, in strict accordance with them, the elections are:

• First, the highest direct expression of public power in accordance with Article 3 of the current Constitution.
• Secondly, the concept of elections implies a method of participation by individuals (citizens of certain regions or the country as a whole) in the management of public affairs, which is realized through the right of citizens to be elected and elect state authorities, as well as local self-government. This provision is conditioned by Article 32 of the current Constitution.
• Thirdly, the law "On Elections" assumes that the corresponding category represents the order of the imperative plan regarding the replacement of the post of the President of Russia, as well as the creation of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
• Fourthly, it is a necessary means of implementing local self-government, which implies mandatory participation in public life elected structures of local self-government. This provision is argued by the law "On Elections", as well as Article 130 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Definition under federal law

It is important to know that the official definition of the category in question is included in Article Two federal law“Regarding the basic guarantees of the right to take part in the referendum of citizens of the Russian Federation and voting rights.” In accordance with it, guarantees of the electoral rights of citizens are approved. In addition, this interpretation assumes that elections are nothing more than a form of direct expression of the will of individuals, which is carried out strictly in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation, federal laws, charters (constitutions) of subjects of the Federation, laws of subjects of the Russian Federation, charters of municipal-type entities in order to create a structure state power, local self-government structures, or vesting an official with certain powers.

In order to fully understand the concept of elections, today the legal position of the Constitutional Court is of no small importance, which was formulated by means of a decision of 06/10/1998 in accordance with the case regarding the verification of certain provisions of the Constitution (paragraph 6 of article four, paragraphs three and four of article thirteen, paragraph third article nineteenth), as well as paragraph two of article 58 of the Federal Law of September 19, 1997 "On Guarantees of the Right to Participate in a Referendum of Citizens of the Russian Federation and Electoral Rights".

It is important to note that the interpretation of the holding of elections, which is contained in the submitted resolution, one way or another characterizes them as a way of expressing public will, as well as creating appropriate structures of state power of legitimate significance and structures of local self-government, on its behalf, exercising power of a public nature. In order to fully achieve these goals, elections must be based on the priority of the will of a larger percentage of voters who took part in the vote.

Election classification

In this and subsequent chapters, it would be appropriate to fully consider the classification of types of elections. It is important to note that the current Russian electoral legislation does not include an exhaustive list of the types of elections that are held on the territory of the Russian Federation. Thus, the classification is due to the presence of certain criteria.

In accordance with the level of the procedure, which is determined by the immediate territory of its conduct, today the following types of elections are distinguished:

• Elections to structures Union State. It is important to know that their holding is conditioned by the Agreement of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation dated 08.12.1999. Thus, according to Article 39 of the presented Treaty, it is customary in Russia to elect 75 deputies to the House of Representatives.
• Elections to bodies of federal significance (elections of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly, presidential elections).
• Elections of legislative structures of subjects of Russia.
• Elections to state bodies at the local level. Among them, it is important to note the elections of structures of control value, the elections of heads of municipalities, as well as the elections of deputies of structures of municipalities of a representative plan.

Elected Body as Classification Criteria

In accordance with such a criterion as an official or an electoral body, it is customary to distinguish the following types of elections:

• Election of officials of the highest importance of the corresponding degree of power. It would be appropriate to include the heads of municipal formations, as well as the President of the Russian Federation.
• Elections of bodies of representative power (elections of deputies of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly, elections of representative structures of municipal formations, elections of parliaments of constituent entities of the Russian Federation).
• Elections of other bodies. This should include, first of all, certain officials, for example justices of the peace. In addition, we are talking about the choice of political parties, as well as control structures municipalities.

Reasons for the election as a criterion

In accordance with such a criterion as the reason (grounds) for the appointment of the procedure, today the following types of elections are distinguished:

• Next elections.
• Early election.
• Additional elections.
• Repeat elections.

It would be advisable to consider them in more detail, as well as analyze examples of elections.

Regular, early and by-elections

It is important to note that regular elections are held due to the expiration of the terms of office of officials and elective structures, established by law. Early elections refer to the early termination of the powers of certain officials, as well as to the early termination of deputy powers. It should be added that this kind of termination in one way or another entails the incompetence of a representative (legislative) authority of state significance of a constituent entity of the Russian Federation or a representative structure of a municipal formation. It is interesting to know that the early termination of the powers of a representative (legislative) body of state power of a subject of the Russian Federation, a representative structure of local government or deputies, if it indicates the termination of the powers of the relevant structure, is the basis for by-elections.

Repeat and combined elections

It is necessary to know that public participation in repeated elections is relevant when all the procedures considered in the previous chapter did not lead to the election of a structure, deputy or official in accordance with the reason for declaring these elections invalid or not held. In addition, the legislation specifically stipulates that by-elections and by-elections are not called and, accordingly, are not held when, as a result of them, one or another deputy cannot be elected for a period exceeding one year.

It is also necessary to note the combined elections, which differ in the appointment on the same day. It is important to add that the presented procedure is carried out in relation to several officials, state-type structures of power or local self-government. It is logical that the combination of elections is objectively facilitated by the definition in the law of two dates for their implementation, which are considered possible, due to which one way or another there is a saving of material resources, in particular Money used for the needs of the electoral process. In addition, in this case, the level of citizens' interest in participating in the election campaign is significantly increased.

Current restrictions

It is important to note that the current legislation contains some restrictions regarding this type of election, such as combined. Firstly, this is the exclusion of the assumption of combining the day of voting in relation to elections to state authorities of federal significance with the day of performing a similar operation in the referendum of the Russian Federation.

Secondly, the Federal Law “On the Basic Guarantees of the Right to Participate in a Referendum of Citizens of the Russian Federation and Electoral Rights” specifically stipulates cases in accordance with which it is impossible to allow the combination of voting days in different elections, as a result of which the voter gets the opportunity to vote simultaneously more than 4 ballots of the electoral form, which are issued at the early, repeated and additional elections.

Legal significance as a criterion

In accordance with the legal orientation of the procedure under consideration, the following types of elections are distinguished today as a methodology for the formation of governing structures of state importance, as well as local self-government:

• Imperative elections, which are the exclusive method of empowering society with powerful public powers.
• Elections that are used on an alternative basis with other methods of filling elected positions and deputy mandates.

The first group includes the elections of the following categories of persons:

• President of the Russian Federation.
• Deputies of the representative (legislative) power structure of subjects of the Russian Federation of state importance.
• Deputies thoughts.
• Deputies of the legislative structure of an urban district or a rural-type settlement.

The second grouping is formed by the elections:

• Leadership of municipal formations (municipal elections).
• Judges of the World.
• Deputies of legislative structures of districts of municipal significance.
• Control structures of municipal formations.

Conclusion

It would be appropriate to separately note the indirect (indirect) type of elections. It is an electoral system in which a candidate for a particular position is elected not by individuals, but by a power structure or electors pre-elected by certain officials. It is important to note that the presented variety of elections can be carried out in two or more stages. A striking example in this case is the election of the President of the United States of America.

It is important to note that the elections considered in the materials of this article are not only possible methods for the formation of certain structures (these bodies are clearly indicated in specific chapters). It is worth emphasizing that, at the same time, it is precisely other methods that are in no way related to elections that today are often endowed with preferential consolidation in the legislative acts of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as the current charters of municipal formations.

It is interesting to note that this picture is especially evident in the process of choosing judges of world significance. Although the Federal Law “On Justices of the Peace in the Russian Federation”, in accordance with its eighth article, suggests that, despite the possibility of filling the position of a justice of the peace or through the appointment of a representative (in other words, legislative) body of state significance of a subject of the Russian Federation, or through the election through the efforts of the population, as well as its individual representatives of the relevant judicial locality, the legislation of absolutely all subjects of Russia ignores elections as a method of filling the above positions.

President of Russia through the prism of the Constitution

Presidential elections are always a landmark event for any state. It is the president who determines the vector of internal development for the next few years, as well as foreign policy country. But more importantly, the head of state is the guarantor of the rights and freedoms of man and citizen. Thus, the president is a backbone figure, especially when it comes to Russia. Based on the scope of powers of the first person, our state is a classic example of a presidential republic.

At the same time, one of the main differences of such a constitutional system is, of course, the election of the president not by parliament, but by popular vote. It is also important that it is the president who forms the government, which is the executive branch of power in the country. Yes, the president does not formally head the cabinet of ministers, but it is difficult to overestimate his contribution to solving national issues. It is no coincidence that the head of state has the right of legislative initiative. Thus the importance of this figure in Russian realities is exceptional. A truly democratic, legal state, which is the Russian Federation, is impossible without the active position of the President of the country.

The figure of the president is also important because he takes measures to protect the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, ensures the interaction of state authorities. He also represents the state in the international arena. Probably, we are not at all indifferent to what kind of person a country like Russia will personify in negotiations with foreign partners.

Down with nihilism, or everything for the voter

Each of us will very soon have the right to directly choose a candidate who can most optimally cope with the duties that the basic law of the country imposes on the president. To do this, you just need to decide which of the 8 people registered by the CEC you are ready to support on March 18. Judging by the presented candidates, each of the Russians, who has the right to vote, and also adheres to any political ideology, will be able to choose his favorite. There are leftists, liberal democrats, centrists, conservatives, etc. on the ballot.

Meanwhile, it is important to answer the question that worries so many - why should I, as a citizen of the Russian Federation, go to the polling station on March 18 and cast my vote for one of the candidates. You can often hear from some Russians who are far from politics, or are interested in it from time to time: "I did not go to the polling station, so what can my single vote decide?" Or: "Why would I go there at all - it's better to spend my day off in a different way, and civic duty is to contact others."

By the way, earlier some citizens, whose business trip, vacation or just a weekend trip to a neighboring city coincided with the voting day, experienced significant inconvenience with how to cast their vote in the country's presidential elections.

Now everything looks completely different, you don’t need to take any absentee ballots. This time, the procedure for voting outside the place of registration is the most convenient for voters, the CEC has already provided for everything. If on March 18 you will not be at the place of registration indicated in your passport, or you do not have registration, vote at any polling station at your location. To do this, you can, for example, apply in advance through the State Services portal to be included in the list of voters in a polling station convenient for you.

On voting day, do not forget to bring your passport and application with you. It can be taken in printed form or shown on the screen. mobile phone. You can submit an application until March 12 inclusive. Thus, the most favorable conditions have been created for all voters to vote on March 18, even if they are outside their city or subject of the Russian Federation.

To the site - like a holiday

.... You know, there have been quite a few cases in history when the vote of a single person decided the outcome of an entire election campaign. We can recall the same presidential elections in 2000 in the United States, where a manual recount was required. Well, if we take examples from national history, then these are the elections of the head of the Altai Republic in 2014. Then the winner won in the first round with just over 50% of the votes. If we rely on dry mathematics, it was about 400 votes. Now imagine if these people had stayed at home - at least it would have meant a second round, and at the most - the defeat of their candidate in the future.

Therefore, the arguments of those people who say: "My candidate will win anyway, even if I cannot come to the polling station," are not entirely clear. But let me ask, where does such confidence come from, history just proves that this can be a dangerous delusion. And besides, if you know exactly who you would like to see as the head of your country for the next 6 years, is this person really not worth a few minutes spent on him. Take a short walk with the family on Sunday, walk to the polling station, get a ballot, go to the voting booth, put a tick in front of the name you like and put the ballot in the ballot box. Everything. Nothing extra. But then for a long time you will feel your involvement in the formation of state power in the country - isn't this the purpose of a real citizen and patriot of your fatherland?

In addition, the very atmosphere of the elections is like a big national holiday, close in spirit, for example, to Maslenitsa festivities. On this Sunday, March 18, as always, concerts, quizzes, sports competitions will be held at the sites, for those who wish, there will also be excursions to school museums, prize draws and much more. So a trip to the site turns into a kind of Sunday leisure for entire families.

Write your name in the history of the country

Again, you can take your children with you to introduce them to the atmosphere of the elections. Not in words, but in deeds, to show what voting is and why, without exaggeration, the whole country is striving to get to the polling stations on this day. This is the only way to raise a Russian patriot in the future. It is important that our children from an early age feel a sense of belonging to important state affairs, which, of course, are elections. Then this tradition can become a good habit.

Why should I, as a parent, vote? We choose not just a future for our country, and not even a future for ourselves. First of all, we are talking about our children. This is medicine and education, these are circles, sports sections and much more.

What Russia will be like in the 2020s, in which direction it will develop - depends, among other things, on your vote. That's why I'm still going to the polling station on March 18th.

Again, we should not forget about those who have just turned 18, who will vote not only in the presidential - in general in any elections - for the first time in their lives. Agree, there is a certain symbolism and magic of numbers - to get to the PEC on the 18th at the age of 18. In this case, the young man will come to choose the future both for the country and for his generation as a whole. The generation that will have to solve key issues at the state level in the near future, build and create new Russia country of the 21st century.

... It is clear that going to the polls is a right, not a duty. But for every conscientious citizen of our country, going to a polling station is a chance to become part of the history of Russia. It is written by all of us, here and now.

Since ancient times, elections have become characteristic of man. Leaders were elected at general meetings (gatherings). Thus arose the primary organ of power - a kind of element of democracy - primitive in nature.

In Athens, there was another type of secret ballot, the "court of potsherds": according to it, the community had the right to expel any public figure from the city if his popularity threatened the foundations of democracy. The voting procedure looked like this: the participant received a shard and wrote on it the name of the person whom he considered necessary to expel from Athens, and then placed the shard in a special fenced place in the square. The one whose name was repeated more times was declared banished.

As for democracy in the Russian Federation, this concept is revealed in the following provisions of Art. 3 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation:

The multinational people of the Russian Federation is the bearer of sovereignty and the only source of power in the Russian Federation;

Power is exercised directly by the people, as well as through state authorities and local self-government bodies;

The highest direct expression of the power of the people is the referendum and free elections.

Direct democracy is the exercise of power by the people through forms of direct expression of will. Such forms should include: a referendum, elections, gatherings and meetings of citizens, rallies, processions, demonstrations, picketing, nationwide discussion of important issues of state life, individual and collective appeals of citizens to state authorities and local governments, recall of a deputy or other elected official persons, people's law-making initiative, public hearings, etc.

Representative democracy is the exercise of power by the people through elected authorized representatives (for example, deputies), who make decisions that express the will of those they represent, i.e., their voters.

The power elected by the people is legitimate, that is, legal (legitimate). Etymologically, the word "legitimacy" originates from the Latin legalis - legality. However, legitimacy and legality are not synonymous, since political power is not always based on law and laws, but always enjoys one or another support of a part of the country's population. Legality testifies to the legal, legislatively justified type of government.

Elections allow you to openly and publicly present conflicting interests, values, ideas for judgment popular opinion, to determine the real support for the positions of one or another side of the conflict - the mobilization of the electoral corps to solve urgent social problems.

Elections are the most important channel for citizens to join the political elite, making a political career, approval and decline of political leaders.

Elections fulfill the above-mentioned functions only if they themselves are organized democratically. Elections are originally designed to serve democracy and are inextricably linked to its general concept and values. Their main social purpose is to adequately reflect the opinion and will of citizens, to ensure the representation of the main social groups in government, and also to form an effective government.

Literature:

1. Trusov N.A., Goreva T.V. Suffrage in Russia. The activities of the police Ensuring the implementation of the electoral rights of citizens of the Russian Federation: tutorial / ON THE. Trusov, T.V. Gorev. - N. Novgorod: Nizhny Novgorod Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, 2015.
2. V. P. Pugachev, A. I. SOLOVEV - 4th ed., revised. and additional - Moscow: Aspect Press, 2004.