12 Nov 2009 13:27

Parties with regional factions should not collect signatures

MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax) - Political parties, which are not represented at the State Duma but have factions at regional parliaments, should be exempt from the collection of signatures in their support at regional elections, President Dmitry Medvedev said in the state of the nation address on Thursday.

In fact, the collection of signatures should be eventually be abolished, he said.

"I think we should eventually abolish this method of parties' admission to election campaigns," he said.