MOSCOW, December 27 (RAPSI) – Russia’s Supreme Court’s plenum ruled on Tuesday that political parties may be liquidated during election race only if they are found to be extremist.

According to Russian legislation, there are several rationales for liquidation of political parties, including violations of the federal laws and failure to comply with a party’s charter.

It was noted that if a court’s ruling to liquidate party may influence election campaign an electoral commission is to get involved in reviewing the case.

On August 9, the court ruled to liquidate political party Volya as extremist organization.

Russia’s Justice Ministry lodged an application with the Supreme Court seeking liquidation of the political party “Volya”. The ministry demanded to shut down the party because of allegedly extremist activity. The plaintiff insisted that extremist materials had been regularly published on the party’s website.

On August 6, the Central Election Commission denied registration of the party members as candidates for the State Duma elections.  Legislative elections were held in Russia on September 18, 2016.