St PETERSBURG, August 21 (Itar-Tass) – Voters in two districts of St Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city often referred to as its ‘northern capital’, go to the polls Sunday to elect deputies of two local councils.
The incumbent governor of the city, Valentina Matviyenko, has been registered as a candidate in two constituencies – Petrovsky and Krasnenkaya Rechka.
Her victory in the election will open the doors for her to the Federal Council – the upper house of Russian parliament the members of which have already promised to elect her Madame Speaker.
Chairmen of electoral commissions in both constituencies have told Itar-Tass the total number of the polling stations to open Sunday is sixteen.
The total number of registered voters in both constituencies stands at slightly over 20,000.
Valentina Matviyenko will not take part in the voting herself, however, as she is not a resident of either constituency.
The polling stations will be open from 08:00 hrs through to midnight and the official results of vote counting will be announced Monday, August 22.