CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION BEGINS REGISTRATION OF PARTIES.

Although 262 political groups already have registered withthe justice ministry, all of those that wish to participate inthe December parliamentary election must now take the next stepand register with the Central Election Commission, Russian radioreported August 17. To do that, a group has to collect at least200,000 signatures from supporters. Most of the groups will notbe able to do that, the radio said, and their inability to doso explains the current rush for alliances among the parties.

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