PROCESS UNDER ATTACK

The scores of parties and organizations which have reared their heads in time for the election (thus far, 67 parties and blocs have registered candidates) has led to sharp domestic criticism of Russia’s electoral law and speculation that the elections might be canceled. On Wednesday the head of the Central Electoral Commission dismissed these criticisms. While agreeing that too many fringe parties and narrow-focus groups are taking part, Nikolai Ryabov said that was not the fault of the electoral law but a "by-product of the country’s democratic progress and a consequence of there being no law on political parties." (5)

Shakhrai: Losers Should Reimburse