OREANDA-NEWS.  January 16, 2012. Dmitry Medvedev sent to the State Duma draft Federal Law On Amendments to the Federal Law On General Principles Governing the Organisation of Legislative (Representative) and Executive Bodies of State Power in the Constituent Entities of the Russian Federation.

Under the draft law, a regional head (the head of a region’s highest executive body) is elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

Candidates for the post of regional head are nominated either by political parties or by way of self-nomination. Political parties can put forward their candidates following consultations with the President, who shall set the procedures for such consultations.

Regional heads’ term in office is five years.

The draft law provides for possible dismissal of a regional head due to a loss of confidence and sets forth the grounds for such action. It also provides for the possibility of revoking the mandate of a regional head and sets out the corresponding procedures.