Turnout in presidential elections in Russia makes 12.2 percent for 10:00

The turnout reaches 12.2 percent in Russia for 10:00. It was announced by the deputy head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of the Russian Federation Leonid Ivlev. He noted that the current voter turnout is much higher than the federal elections in recent years in the country. For comparison the turnout was 5.3 percent at State Duma election on Dec.4, 2011, and 8.9 percent at the presidential election in 2008, RBC reports. About 110 million Russians, including about 1.8 million of our compatriots abroad have the right to participate in the presidential elections in Russia. About 95 thousand polling stations was formed for the elections. There are 5 candidates for the presidency. Four of them are nominated by the parliamentary parties: Vladimir Zhirinovsky is nominated by the Liberal Democratic Party, Gennady Zyuganov - by the Communist Party, Sergei Mironov - the "Fair Russia", Vladimir Putin - the "United Russia", and an independent candidate Michael Prokhorov. Their names are arranged in the alphabetical order in the ballots. A candidate must gain more that 50 percent of votes in order to win the first round of the election. Otherwise, a second round of voting is appointed, in which the two candidates with the highest number of votes participate. If none of the candidates overcome the threshold of 50 percent, then the second round of elections will be held on March 25, 2012. The threshold of voter turnout in the presidential election is not provided. It is the first time when the President of Russia is elected not for 4 year term, but for 6 year term.