MOSCOW, October 15 (Itar-Tass) —— All of the incumbent governors who took part in the elections of the heads of Russia’s constituent territories - the first direct ones after a long interval, will retain their posts.
Nearly all leaders of regions who were participating in the elections under the United Russia brand collected more than 60 percent of the votes. The statistics are preliminary, although one hundred percent of election protocols have been processed. The regional election commissions will soon publish the final returns.
“The highest turnout was in the Belgorod Region – 59.49 percent. The local election commission says the rate is rather high, but at the same time adds that it could have been higher. The lowest turnout was in the Amur Region – 36.78 percent.
In the gubernatorial elections in the Amur Region the incumbent, Oleg Kozhemyako, of United Russia, emerged the winner with 77.8 percent of the votes. In Belgorod, United Russia’s candidate Yevgeny Savchenko won with 77.64 percent. In the Bryansk Region, where there were just two candidates, the current governor, Nikolai Denin emerged the winner with 65.22 percent of the votes. In the Novgorod Region the winner is United Russia’s Sergei Mitin, with 75.95 percent, and in the Ryazan Region, Oleg Kovalyov, with 64.43 percent.
A total of seventeen candidates contested five gubernatorial seats.
“The final returns will be available in 3-4 days,” Central Election Commission Chairman Vladimir Churov said.