MOSCOW, April 4 - RAPSI. The Federation Council has opened public discussion of a draft law on the senators' election prepared by the council's working group.

Currently the parliament's upper house has two representatives from each region: one appointed by the governor, the other by the regional parliament.

The draft law provides that a candidate will run for governorship having a list of three candidates for the Federation Council. The governor-elect will appoint the candidate with the highest voting result. Candidates for the Federation Council will be listed on the same ballot beside the candidate to governorship.

A Russian citizen above 35 having no foreign citizenship and permanently residing in the relevant region for five years may become a candidate to senators.

In case of an early senator's resignation the governor must appoint within 10 days the other candidate with the rating next to the resigned senator.

If the list of candidates is exhausted, the governor may appoint one of deputy governors, who has served in such capacity no less than one year, or a local MP.

If adopted, the law will come into effect on the publication day.