How powerful is the Duma?
The Duma MPs can draw up and pass legislation. They can withhold approval from prime-ministerial appointees, initiate no-confidence votes and begin impeachment proceedings. What was media coverage like? Election broadcast slots were allocated in the fully or partly state-owned broadcast and print media to all registered parties by lots. Parties could buy extra advertising in the independent media. Most analysts say the three main state-run television channels generally shape voters’ perceptions more than any other media, and opposition parties have long complained of negative or scant coverage on these channels. Opposition parties took advantage of the right to advertise on billboards to get their message across. How many parties were in the race? Eleven parties were authorised to stand by the Central Electoral Commission, out of 35 that originally applied. Some parties were rejected because they did not have enough members or sufficient representation nationwide, while others were jud
