Influence Of The Pandemic Of New Coronavirus Infection On The Election Of Deputies Of The State Duma Of The 8th Convocation

Abstract

The author analyzes the impact of the new coronavirus infection on the campaign for the election of deputies to the 8th State Duma, both during the campaign period and at the time of voting. Research objectives are to find out whether the coronavirus pandemic affected the election campaign in general and the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process in particular; what forced changes have been made to the electoral system and the pre-election work of candidates and parties, and whether these changes are applicable outside the conditions of the pandemic. In the article, the author research the program documents of the parties, uses content analysis, and the comparative method. As a result, the author came to the conclusion that the coronavirus pandemic had a serious impact on the 2021 election campaign, in terms of organizing, preparing and conducting voting, and in matters of electoral activities of political parties and candidates. Some changes are situational, and not applicable outside the conditions of epidemiological risks, others, systemic, have chance of becoming standard practice outside the conditions of a pandemic. The changes affecting the electoral process did not affect the transparency and legitimacy of the electoral process, and in some aspects made it more convenient for voters.

References

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