Duma

The Duma is the name of the lower house of the Parliament of Russia. Under Russia's 1993 constitution, there are 450 deputies of the State Duma (Article 95), each elected to a term of four years (Article 96). Russian citizens at least 21 years old are eligible to run for the Duma (Article 97).

On March 3, 1905 Tsar Nicholas II of Russia agreed to create an elected assembly, or Duma. The second Duma opened in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 5, 1907 and 40,000 demonstrators had to be dispersed by Russian troops.