Resumption of «firstpastthe post» basics as the start for electoral system modernization at the election of State Duma deputies: arguments "for" and "against"

The present article deals with the electoral system which is applied during the election of deputies of State Duma of the Russian Federation Federal Assembly. Its purpose is to examine the drawbacks of the "one person, one vote" system which prevent the effective functioning of the State Duma. The methodology of the work is based on the dialectical method, methods of modelling, comparison and analysis of statistical data. The work proves the influence of the applied model on the formation of the State Duma deputy corps on the effectiveness of its functioning. An optimized model of the electoral system shall include both "first- past- the post" and "one person, one vote" basics. The resumption of "first- past- the post" basics at the election of State Duma deputies is the first step on the way of modernization of its formation. Basic contours of the electoral system used at the election of the State Duma deputies shall be enshrined in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Part 3, Article 95 of the Constitution 1993 should sound like: "The State Duma consists of 450 deputies elected on the basis of "first- past- the post"- "one person, one vote" electoral system: half of the deputies are elected in single- member constituencies and the rest- according to federal lists of candidates adopted by political parties and electoral blocks. The resumption of' first- past- the post" basics at the election of the State Duma deputies has both advantages and disadvantages. The increasing of real representativeness of the Duma and consolidation of interrelation between deputies and their electorate are the advantages. The disadvantage of a single- member constituency is the possibility of undue subdivision of the State Duma deputy corps and the possibility to have a disproportionate representation in the state Duma. It's necessary to improve legislation to avoid negative consequences of the resumption of single-member constituencies at the election of the State Duma deputies. The conclusions of the present can be used for further development of Russian legislation and in the course of teaching Constitutional and Parliamentary law in higher educational establishments of the Russian Federation.

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