MOSCOW -- Boris Gryzlov, the speaker of the Russian State Duma and a leader of the ruling United Russia party, says a recount of the votes of the nationwide local elections held on October 11 would not significantly increase the vote for the country's other parties.
Speaking to RFE/RL's Russian Service, Gryzlov said the opposition parties would gain no more than 1 additional percent of the votes if the votes are recounted.
Russia's Communist Party plans to hold protest actions in several major cities on October 22 to challenge the elections' results.
The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia and the Yabloko party have announced that they will participate as well.
The chairman of the Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov, is expected to address the Duma about the elections on October 23.