Competitiveness in elections to representative bodies in urban districts and municipal areas of Perm region in 2012−2017

Abstract

Based on the method of determining the effective number of candidates, the authors analyze the local campaigns for the election of deputies to the representative bodies of the Perm region’s municipalities of the second level, i.e. urban districts and municipal areas. On the basis of the previous studies on the competitiveness of local elections, the typology of districts has been developed in terms of their competitiveness, taking into account invalid ballots: non-competitive districts – up to 2.5 candidates in the district, weakly competitive – up to 3.5 candidates, mediumcompetitive – above 3.5. In this case, similar thresholds have been used in assessing the competitiveness of the election campaign in the municipality as a whole – the average effective number of candidates, which is calculated as the average for all electoral districts. It has been revealed that the majority of municipal election campaigns were noncompetitive (25) or weakly competitive (20), where, taking into account “invalid ballots”, the competition did not exceed 3.5 candidates. Only 8 campaigns can be classified as medium-competitive. The level of competition in local elections depends on the diversity of economic actors, corporate and other elite groups, competing clans, the presence of external players, socially active local groups, and other opponents of the district administration, which in turn creates the conditions for more active participation of various candidates in the elections of local deputies.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17072/2218-1067-2017-4-5-25