Moscow, 16 March: Sociological research has shown that Russians are opposed to the idea of an early presidential or parliamentary election, especially during the crisis.

An overwhelming majority of Russians (80 per cent) do not see the need for an early presidential and parliamentary election. This opinion is most frequently expressed by democrats (presumably, Yabloko and/or Right Cause supporters) and A Just Russia supporters (89 and 88 per cent respectively) as well as by residents of the Northwest Federal District (94 per cent), VTsIOM (All-Russia Public Opinion Research Centre) experts told Interfax on Monday (16 March) following the results of an all-Russia poll.

According to them, only 3 per cent of Russians accept that there is a need for an early election. This position is more typical for Communist Party and Liberal Democratic Party supporters (9 per cent for each).

Four per cent of respondents propose holding just an early parliamentary election, 1 per cent - a presidential one. The rest (13 per cent) were unable to express an opinion on this matter.

The poll showed that Russians are more often inclined to believe that early elections will not change anything (78 per cent). Those who believe that an early election will bring to power new people and this will contribute to getting the country out of the crisis made up 9 per cent of respondents. The former opinion is more typical for supporters of One Russia (80 per cent), the Communist Party and "democrats" (78 per cent each). Those who support the opposite point of view are more likely to be Liberal Democratic Party supporters (18 per cent).

At the same time those who believe that an early election will demand much effort, time and money from the state but is unlikely to be of much use in fighting the crisis account for a larger portion of respondents (81 per cent). Only 8 per cent are convinced that it is better to spend time and money on electing new authorities that will deal with fighting the crisis. This opinion is more typical for supporters of the Liberal Democratic Party (16 per cent) and the Communist Party (14 per cent).

The main argument of those who support an early election is the authorities' inability to cope with pressing problems (42 per cent of those who believe that an early election is needed). This position is most common for A Just Russia supporters (67 per cent).

Almost one-fifth of respondents (19 per cent) believe that a new policy and path for development are needed. This opinion has been voiced by absolutely all supporters of democratic parties. Other reasons include: poor work of officials and local authorities (8 per cent), corruption of the incumbent authorities (7 per cent), another 4 per cent believe that "deputies are only engaged in talking". Twenty-eight per cent of respondents were unable to justify the need for an early federal election.

Russians were divided as to the need for a moratorium on federal and local elections for the duration of the crisis: 38 per cent are opposed to it, while 32 per cent are in favour of banning elections during the crisis; 30 per cent did not have an opinion on this issue.

According to the VTsIOM poll, which was conducted in 140 towns and villages in 42 constituent parts of the Russian Federation in February, the idea of a moratorium enjoys most support among residents of the Northwest Federal District (48 per cent) and A Just Russia supporters (45 per cent). On the contrary, residents of Siberia (51 per cent), voters who support democrats (61 per cent) and Russians whose own assessment of their financial situation is low (41 per cent) are more inclined to be opposed to a moratorium on elections during the crisis.