Electoral Corruption in Russia: the Causes of the Emergence, Structure, Forms and Methods of Prevention, Counteraction and Struggle

Election is one of the most important institutions of any modern democratic state. Thus, the question of its effective functioning becomes rather topical. Electoral corruption can be considered as one of the most dangerous dysfunctions of the democracy institute. The work consists of theoretical and practical parts investigating this phenomenon. The definition of electoral corruption, its main causes and structure and the most effective ways to combat it are provided in the theoretical part. In addition to the calculation of the dynamics of electoral corruption, in the practical part with the help of economic statistics, such as the calculation of the empirical correlation ratio (hereinafter ECR), and on the basis of statistical data on violations (only cases of voter bribery) on a common voting day (September 18, 2016), the hypothesis about the relationship between the number of such violations and the level of support for “the United Russia” party by subjects (Hypothesis No. 1) is refuted, but the hypothesis about a link between the number of such violations and the general level of corruption in subjects (Hypothesis No. 2), the quality of life by constituent entities (Hypothesis No.3) are confirmed. The main results of the work are presented in the conclusion. Key words: election fraud, electoral manipulation, corruption, bribe, Russia.