Financing for 2004 Presidential Election Already Appropriated

It is not ruled out that the election will require the second round and additional spending
Russia's Central Election Commission has already received financing appropriated from the federal budget especially for organization of the 2004 presidential election. Central Election Commission Chairman Alexander Veshnyakov said on Thursday the sum made up 4 billion 300 million rubles (about $145.7 million). According to Alexander Veshnyakov, the recently held parliamentary election cost 3.5 billion rubles appropriated from the budget.

"The sum meant for the presidential election is a bit bigger than that appropriated for the parliamentary election because it is not ruled out that the election will require the second round and additional spending," the Central Election Commission chairman adds.

Meanwhile, member of the RF Central Election Commission Yelena Dubrovina says that candidates to the presidential post will have to present accounts on their incomes over the past four years to the Commission.
 
Russia's online source Lenta.Ru reports with reference to RIA Novosti that according to a decree passed by the Central Election Commission on December 11, candidates to the presidential posts and their spouses must present copies of income statements over 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, the information about assets held by candidates and their spouses and documents on their property liabilities.
 
Alexander Veshnyakov says the information will be verified and put on special information stands at polling stations. If during verification the Commission finds out wrong facts in the accounts presented by candidates, this information is to be posted on the stands as well.