MOSCOW, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Elections for deputies to the ninth convocation of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament, have kicked off across Russia, with the first polling stations opening in the country's easternmost regions.
Polling stations in Kamchatka Krai and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug opened at 8 a.m. local time Friday (2000 GMT Thursday).
Under a decision by Russia's Central Election Commission, voting will be held over three days, from Sept. 18 to 20. ■
