IRKUTSK, March 11, 2004. (RIA Novosti). Heavy snowfall and adverse weather conditions hamper early voting in remote areas of the Irkutsk region (the Siberian Federal District). It has recently seen a double monthly snowfall and frequent temperature changes.
About 2,000 people in remote settlements of the Irkutsk region had the right of early voting in the presidential elections. However, 1,000 more ballot papers will be taken to remote areas by helicopter in the next few days, chairman of the Irkutsk regional election commission said on Thursday.
All in all, 1,573 polling stations were formed in the Irkutsk region, he said.
