According to the Constitution, the Russian Federation is a legal democratic state in which the people are the main source of power. In practice, this principle is implemented through regular elections of authorized representatives, but there is another, direct, form of expression of the will - a popular vote. However, it is not used often, so some issues need clarification.
What is a popular vote?
As already mentioned, in modern democracies, indirect, or representative, democracy prevails. Indeed, most of the decisions and laws are made by the authorities we have chosen. However, there are a number of issues requiring special participation of citizens of the state. In such cases, a popular vote is convened.
This type of political decision-making takes its origins in the era of Antiquity, from Ancient Greece, which is the ancestor of democracy familiar to us. There were, of course, big differences. Ancient Greek democracy was direct - this means that every free citizen had the right to participate in the discussion of the most important issues in the life of the polis, city-state, and decisions were made by voting.
The format of the holding has certainly changed since then. Now, the popular vote of citizens takes place not in squares, but in specially equipped premises organized throughout the country through ballots. But its essence remains the same - it is a free, equal and secret expression of will of citizens of the state on particularly important political issues, on which the fate of their country or territory, requiring their personal participation, depends.
In what cases is convened?
But what issues are considered “especially important”? For a response you should refer to the law “On the referendum of the Russian Federation”. According to him, a popular vote can be held on the following issues:
- Adoption and amendment of the Constitution.
- Protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.
- Issues of war and peace.
- State border status definitions.
- To some others, in agreement with the Constitutional Court.
In order for a question to be put to a popular vote, it must have one clear interpretation. As a rule, a citizen can vote either for or against this issue. The ability to give an indefinite answer is excluded.
Referendum
A referendum is the most common form of popular vote. Because of this, the term is often used as a synonym for it in both regular speech and official legal documents.
A referendum is held on the adoption of particularly important laws and bills when there is a need for a decision adopted by a popular vote.
The procedure for holding a referendum is regulated by the legislation of each specific country. So, in order for a referendum to be considered successful and its results legitimate, the turnout must be at least 50%, and a specific decision must be supported by at least 50% of the voters.
How is a referendum appointed and held?
In order to hold a referendum, an initiative is needed. This right has:
- 2 million citizens of the Russian Federation who are eligible to participate in the referendum (of which no more than 50 thousand can live in the territory of one subject or outside the Russian Federation).
- Constitutional Assembly.
- Federal government bodies.
The referendum is appointed by the President of the Russian Federation, by prior agreement with the Constitutional Court as to whether the issue submitted to the referendum is consistent with the Constitution of the Russian Federation. Having received the approval of the Constitutional Court, the President sets the date for the referendum.
Plebiscite
There are different interpretations of the concept of "plebiscite." This is due to the fact that there is no clear distinction between it and the referendum; the legislation of some countries does not even provide for the procedure for its implementation.
According to the most common definition, a plebiscite is a popular vote on the ownership and fate of territories and other local issues. Sometimes any other general survey is called a plebiscite, except for those that are conducted regarding the adoption of new bills.
Popular poll
Sometimes the third form of popular vote is highlighted - a popular poll, although it is often equated with a referendum (as, for example, this was adopted in the legislation of the USSR).
The purpose of a nationwide survey is to clarify the views of citizens on a particular issue.
How was the Constitution of the Russian Federation adopted?
The current Constitution was adopted by popular vote on December 12, 1993. At the same time, it entered into legal force only on December 25 after its publication in the Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
The decision to hold a popular vote on the adoption of the new constitution was made by B. N. Yeltsin (at that time he was the president of Russia).
The draft Constitution itself was the result of many years of hard work by about 800 professional lawyers. It started back in 1990, in the process several different options were put forward, but as a result, the Constitution became the sum of many decisions and disputes of the Constitutional Commission. So, despite the fact that the two main authors of the Constitution, S. Shakhrai and S. Alekseev, are usually distinguished, you need to understand that a legal act of this magnitude and significance is the result of the work of many people.
The only question was put to the vote: "Do you accept the Constitution of the Russian Federation?" Only two answers were supposed: yes or no.
58.43% of those who participated in the vote supported the adoption of the new Constitution. Thus, the Constitution was considered adopted.