Galina Antyufeeva, “The saved money is for the implementation of social projects”

A large group of legislators are the authors of the initiative that concerns the optimization of the size of the people's representatives are. There are 1155 people in the republic, representing the interests of voters in the Supreme and local Councils. The authors of the legislative innovation consider it necessary to reduce the expenses of the republican budget. Today, in the course of the plenary session, amendments to the Constitution, the Regulations of the Supreme Council and the Electoral Code were adopted in the first reading. 32 deputies voted “for”, 1 - “against”.

According to the vice-speaker, the savings aimed at maintaining the Supreme Council may amount to about 20 million rubles a year. In addition, the cost of the campaign period will be reduced. Finance savings on the conduct of a single voting day next year may amount to about two million rubles. At the same time, annual budget savings will be ensured for the holding of additional elections.

Currently, one deputy of the Supreme Council represents the interests of approximately 11000 voters. This figure was about 15 thousand in 2000.

Decrease in the number of deputies should be carried out taking into account the specifics and characteristics of each city and district, legislators consider. To implement the proposed change, it will be necessary to improve the pattern of formation of electoral districts. The profile committee on legislation aims to finalize all controversial issues for the second reading.

For reference: The Provisional Supreme Council, which was supposed to exercise the supreme leadership of the republic prior to the election of the permanent Supreme Council, consisted of 50 people. According to the results of the first elections to the legislature, 60 deputies from 63 districts were elected. In accordance with the Constitution, adopted by referendum on December 24, 1995, a bicameral parliament was created. The House of Representatives consisted of 35 deputies, the House of Legislators - of 32. After the constitutional changes in 2000, the size of the Supreme Council was represented by 43 deputies.