The establishment and development of the institution of regional elections in Russia: concerning the beginning of transformation

The research is to determine the beginning of the transformation of the political institution of regional elections in the post-Soviet Russia that is necessary for further analysis of establishing and developing the institution under study. Using the system-based, institutional and comparative approaches, the author concludes that these are the elections to the Soviets of People’s Deputies of the autonomous republics, territories, regions and other areas of Russia in March 1990. This conclusion is due to the emergence of a certain degree of freedom during the elections. It was reflected in the intensive nomination of candidates which could be explained by the democratic rules that govern this stage, and accordingly, the high electoral alternatives. The possible undemocratic governmental approach to establishing election commissions within the context of decaying party governance was eliminated. The five-month period allotted to the arrangement of the electoral process was insufficient as well. Finally, the principle of voter equality was implemented when establishing electoral districts. However, these elections show that the legal regulation of regional elections requires further improvement.