In a modern democratic society, the degree of influence of citizens on the affairs of the state has increased. This is expressed not only in the fact that each person in the elections can take part in the formation of the highest representative bodies (for example, the State Duma of the Russian Federation), but also express his opinion on a fateful decision for the country, determine the path of development of the state for many years to come.
Instructions
Step 1
Switzerland is officially considered the birthplace of the referendum (from the Latin “referendum” - what must be communicated). In 1869, the canton of Zurich changed its constitution and introduced the concept of “referendum” for the first time in legal practice.
Step 2
The history of the referendum in the USSR and Russia begins in 1990, when laws were adopted to regulate the legal issues of organizing and holding a referendum in the USSR and the RSFSR.
In 24 years, three major referendums have been held:
1. On March 17, 1991, voting took place in the first and last referendum of the USSR. His agenda included only one question, whether the citizens of the USSR wanted to keep the union state or not. Despite the fact that 71, 3% of citizens voted “for”, this did not save the USSR from collapse;
2. On April 25, 1993, a referendum was held, at which it was supposed to resolve the conflict between the President of the Russian Federation B. N. Yeltsin and the Supreme Soviet. Most of the citizens expressed support for the President of the Russian Federation and the socio-economic policy pursued by him, however, the intensity of the confrontation as a result could not be reduced, which ultimately led to the notorious events in October 1993;
3. On December 12, 1993, a referendum was held on the adoption of the draft of the new Constitution of the Russian Federation. 58.4% of the people who took part in the referendum voted “for”.
Step 3
The Federal Constitutional Law of the Russian Federation "On the Referendum of the Russian Federation" defines a referendum as "a nationwide vote of citizens of the Russian Federation who have the right to participate in a referendum on matters of state importance."
Step 4
Russian legislation refers to issues of national importance:
- the adoption of the new Constitution of the Russian Federation, if the Constitutional Assembly decides that the draft of the new Constitution of the Russian Federation must be submitted to a popular vote;
- Consideration of a draft normative act or resolution of an issue, the mandatory submission to a referendum of which is provided for by an international treaty of the Russian Federation;
- other bills and issues of national importance related to the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation or joint jurisdiction of the Russian Federation and the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which do not contradict the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
Step 5
If you want to take part in a referendum, it is imperative to clarify whether you have a legal right to participate in it. Thus, all citizens of the Russian Federation who have reached the age of 18, regardless of their place of residence, have this right. In addition to the right to vote in a referendum, this category of citizens can participate in putting forward an initiative to hold a referendum, as well as in other legal actions for the preparation and conduct of a referendum within the framework provided for by the current legislation. Deprived of the right to participate in the referendum are persons recognized by a court as incompetent or held in places of imprisonment by a court verdict.
